Polls not without their share of controversies; new Comunidade managements face an uphill task
ALVARO COLACO
bureau@herald-goa.com
CORTALIM: The recently concluded elections to the age-old Comunidade bodies witnessed an unprecedented turnout in Salcete and Mormugao talukas.
Elections to the 50-odd Comunidades were held in phases every Sunday in December and January to elect managing committees for the triennium 2013-15, though only 16 bodies had the required quorum to go ahead with the polls. The managing committees comprise the president, attorney and treasurer and their substitutes.
While the Hari Somnath Kuvelkar-led panel emerged victorious in a triangular contest at the Loutolim Comunidade, Savio Correia and his panel secured over two-third votes in a two-way contest at Margao.
Smaller Comunidades like Chandor, Cavelossim, Chinchinim, Davorlim and Velim also convened their elections with the required quorum.
Nagoa (Salcete) was the only major Comunidade that did not muster the required members to hold election.
While the newly-elected members take charge in the first week of March, the managing committees of the Comunidades which did not convene the elections would be appointed by the Government.
Another noteworthy feature was the entry of several women in the working of Comunidade managements. While two women candidates returned to the effective committee of Davorlim and Vaddem Comunidades out of the three positions, Chicalim, Chicolna and Vaddem in Mormugao taluka elected one each.
Four members had the rare distinction of being elected in two Comunidades. These include Celestino Noronha (Margao, Verna), Esther Sankwalkar (Chicalim, Vaddem), Lume Mesquita (Cortalim, Quellossim) and Savio Correia (Aquem, Margao). For Correia, it was a record sixth consecutive term to an office.
The election process to Comunidade underwent major changes in 1998 following amendments to the Code of Comunidades. Elections are now held under supervision of the District Collector and members are barred from being re-elected before expiry on one triennium. Presidents are directly elected as against being government appointees earlier. The provision to vote through proxy was repealed.
The elections were not without their share of controversies. Three separate election petitions have reportedly been filed in the Administrative Tribunal alleging irregularities in the Sancoale Comunidade elections.
The new Comunidade managements face an uphill task to revitalise the age-old bodies while tackling issues like burgeoning salary bills of Comunidade employees and illegal encroachments among others.
