PANJIM: The Congress on Monday filed complaint before State Election Commission (SEC) against Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant over directions issued to authorities against holding public meeting during the ongoing zilla panchayat election campaign.
The SEC, has however, clarified that request for holding public meeting by contesting candidate or a political party will be governed by the provisions of Model Code of Conduct and subject to the adequate safety measures in place in view of the precautions to be taken for checking the spread of COVID-19.
After chairing a high-level meeting on March 14, Chief Minister had ordered to avoid mass gatherings and that no public meetings shall be held as part of election campaign.
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar in a complaint filed before SEC has said the decision of the Chief Minister is in violation of Election Code and a move to override the SEC powers.
“GPCC has taken strong objection to the statement of the Chief Minister that he has issued directions to the authorities not to allow public meetings for Zilla Panchayat elections. This is not only contrary to the Constitutional framework but a clear case of seeking to override the authority of State Election Commissioner, who is in charge of and entrusted with the powers and duties of conducting the elections, which includes holding of public meetings,” the complaint states.
Chodankar claimed that Chief Minister cannot issue diktat to prohibit nor permit meetings in relation to Zilla Panchayat elections and this can be done only upon directions of the Commission.
He pointed out that hours after banning public meetings, Chief Minister, himself addressed a campaign meeting, details of which were posted on his official social media accounts.
“The strategy seems to block the opposing political parties from conducting public meetings,” he charged and added that while Model Code of Conduct is in force the Chief Minister has no role to interfere in the conduct of election process and secondly he is interested party in this elections canvassing for his candidates.
