PANJIM: The State Election Commission (SEC) has decided to go along with the directions of the High Court order on staying reservations in certain wards.
Officials said that the order had been sent to the respective returning officers and accordingly nominations have been accepted in the specific wards of the panchayats as per order.
Nodal Officer of SEC Durgaprasad said that the panchayat elections in the State, including in the disputed wards, will be held as scheduled. He said that the court order has been circulated to all the ROs and nominations were accepted on the last day.
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on May 24 had stayed the reservation notification of the Government of Goa in certain wards of some village panchayats after various persons approached the bench contending violation of certain Articles of Constitution of India and certain sections and rules of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act while reserving the wards.
The HC stayed the reservations in Curca Bambolim (ward 1), Betalbatim (ward 3, 5 and 7), Sancoale (ward 6), Betki Khandola (ward 6 and 7), Kurti Khandepar (ward 6), Penha de Franca (ward 9), Merces (ward 6), Anjuna Caisua (ward 2) and Advalpal (ward 5), which had been challenged by interested parties.
The stay order is applicable in only disputed wards of the panchayat, and not applicable to the entire panchayat.
