PANJIM: The State Election Commission (SEC) on Thursday resumed the election process in the five municipalities of Margao, Sanguem, Quepem, Mormugao and Mapusa, which will now go to the polls on March 21. The counting of votes will be on March 22. There is no change in dates for elections to the other towns and the by-elections.
SEC has issued a notification resuming the election process and bringing into force the model code of conduct with immediate effect in these municipalities, after the Supreme Court earlier in the day, stayed the election authority order dated March 1, to keep in abeyance the elections in these municipal areas.
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The SEC has allowed the filing of nominations in these Municipalities till Saturday, March 6.
The municipalities were scheduled to go to the polls along with six others on March 20. However, the High Court stalled the election process over the ward reservation matter.
It had directed SEC to initiate a fresh election process based on new reservations to be done by the Directorate of Municipal Administration and complete the same before April 15.
“The Supreme Court in a Special Leave Petition has stayed the impugned order of the High Court and order of the Commission dated March 1,” Election Commissioner Chokha Ram Garg said. “Accordingly, SEC directs that the election process for Mormugao, Margao, Mapusa, Quepem and Sanguem Municipal Councils is resumed from the point it was halted,” he added.
As per the schedule, the last date for filing nominations is March 6. The scrutiny for these will be held on March 8 and withdrawal of any will take place on March 9.
The counting will take place on March 22 along with other municipalities.
