Team Herald
PANJIM: The model code of conduct for the June 11 panchayat elections will come into force from Thursday, with the State Election Commission placing a ban on use of mosques, churches, temples and other places of worship as forum for election propaganda.
Filing of nominations for the elections will begin from May 18. The SEC has increased the expenditure limit of candidates to Rs 40,000.
The code of conduct, which will be in force till the end of counting process on June 13, will be applicable in the 186 village panchayats going to the polls. Municipal areas, the CCP and five village panchayats – Taleigao in Tiswadi, Harvalem in Bicholim and Alorna, Casarvanem and Chandel Hassapur in Pernem taluka, will not be affected by the code of conduct.
SEC said that during the code of conduct, candidates or political parties should not appeal to voters based on caste or communal feelings for securing votes.
It has restricted the government from taking any policy decisions or releasing financial grants or recruiting staff, which could influence voters. It also restricts entry of Ministers into polling booths on polling day.
“Goa State Election Commission has prescribed a code of conduct for ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections to the panchayats at all level and laid down limits of expenditure to be incurred by the candidates in connection with the elections,” State Election Commissioner RK Srivasatava said in the notification.
Filing of nominations begins from Thursday, and applications will be accepted by returning officers in the respective talukas until May 25.
A total of 1522 wards will be going for polls on June 11, of which 540 wards are reserved for OBC, SC and ST and 490 wards for women which include 323 seats for women in the general category. The notification in regards to reservation was issued by the Directorate of Panchayats.
Of the 540 wards, 357 seats are reserved for other backward classes (OBC) which includes 247 wards for men and 110 for women. Similarly another 168 seats are reserved for the Schedule Tribe community that has 114 seats for men and 54 wards for women.
For the first time 15 seats have been reserved for the scheduled caste community having 12 wards for men and three for women. The community has got reservations in the talukas of Pernem, Bicholim, Sattari, Bardez and Salcete.
