PANJIM: Elections for the 30 wards of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) are likely to be held on March 7, 2016, the State government informed the High Court on Tuesday. It also stated that filing of the nominations will begin on February 10. The State Election Commission had earlier fixed the election date as March 13.
In a reply to a petition filed by St Cruz MLA Atanasio Monserrate, the government also told the Court that the process of delimitation and reservation of wards will be completed by January 10, 2016.
Earlier this month Monserrate had approached the High Court of Bombay at Goa requesting it to direct the government to notify the delimitation and reservation of wards at least one month prior to date of filing nominations.
The government in its affidavit stated that the delimitation of wards has begun and that the North Goa collector has already issued directions to the Tiswadi mamlatdar to begin the exercise. Once the process is completed, the report will be submitted to the State Election Commission for final approval.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Urban Development Francis D’Souza has hinted that the number of CCP wards could be increased from the existing 30 to 33.
Monserrate, in the petition, had alleged that since the government has realized their incumbent councillors in the corporation do not stand a chance of getting re-elected, subterfuge has been used to illegally delay the election process.
The tenure of the present council will end in March 2016.
