The High Court has reserved its order on a petition challenging the Goa government’s move to delegate the power of delimiting wards of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA).
The petition argues that the authority to carry out ward delimitation should lie solely with the State Election Commission (SEC), in line with constitutional provisions ensuring the independence of electoral processes. The petitioners assert that transferring such a crucial function to the DMA undermines the autonomy of the SEC.
In response, the Goa government has defended its decision, maintaining that there is no statutory mandate requiring delimitation powers to rest exclusively with the SEC. The government contended that it is legally permissible to assign such powers to another competent authority, such as the DMA.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the High Court has reserved its judgment, which is expected to have significant implications for the conduct of municipal elections and the autonomy of electoral institutions in the state.
The case has drawn attention amid ongoing discussions about the separation of powers between the executive and constitutional bodies like the Election Commission, especially in matters relating to electoral fairness and transparency.