Team Herald
PANJIM: The Panchayat polls and delimitation of panchayat wards were delayed due to the State Assembly polls, the government submitted to the High court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday. The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation that has challenged the constitutional validity of the Director Panchayat in undertaking delimitation of wards and delay in the election process.
State Advocate General informed the court that the delimitation process was delayed due to the code of conduct in force in the state for the Assembly polls held on February 4.
He submitted that the delimitation process of panchayat wards would be completed by May 12 and notification of election would be issued by May 25.
The High Court Bench is hearing two PILs simultaneously challenging the Panchayat poll process and government’s jurisdiction over delimitations of wards.
Mango Foundation has challenged the constitutional validity of the Director of Panchayats and Director of Municipal Administration in delimiting and reserving wards. It has stated in its petition that according to Article 243 K and 243 ZA the powers to conduct delimitation and reservation are vested with the State Election Commission (SEC).
The NGO has further stated that for free and fair elections, as per the Constitution of India, the delimitation and reservation should be conducted by SEC and not by the Directorate of Panchayats or Municipalities.
The Court admitted the matter and held that since the petition calls for proper examination of constitutional provisions and state laws concerning who should delimit and reserve wards fixed the next hearing after the court vacation.
