PONDA: The Highcourt of Bombay at Goa sought clarification from Administrator of Comunidades and Presiding Officer for postponement of UsgaoCommunidade Election and asked to submit their reply on Feb 15. The next hearing is fixed on February 18.
Praveen Usgaonkar and others had filed petition in the High Court stating that Election to the Management Committee of Usgao Comunidade which were scheduled on January 27 were postponed at the last moment and praying to the Court for early conduct of said election.
Advocate General informed the Court that one Rajan Naik, Talathi of Bicholim , was appointed as Presiding Officer to hold the said election. However, Rajan Naik failed to turn up for the election and therefore no election could be held. The Clerk of Comunidades was also confused, since there was some issue of two voters Lists.
Accordingly, he sought for advise from Administrator of Comunidades and the Administrator instructed him to postpone the election.
The Court said prima facie , this is a serious matter. The Authorities who are enjoined to conduct election, cannot frustrate very holding of such election in this manner. We, therefore direct the impleadment of RajanNaik,Talathi of Bicholim who has appointed as Presiding Officer, to hold this election as respondent no.5 and directed to issue notice to him returnable on 18 February.
The Court also directed the Administrator of Comunidade, Clerk of Comunidadeand Rajan Naik Presiding officer to file affidavits as to the cirucumstances in which the election came to be postponed and file their detail reply by 15 February.Meanwhile after the matter reached into court, the Authorities of Comunidade has fixed the Postponed Election of Usgao Comunidade on March 3.
