TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: United Goans Democratic Party has demanded that the government forthwith move the Election Commission to alter the polling day and schedule it preferable after the Holy Week.
“The Election Commission of India always consults the States and finalises the election schedule after having verified the convenience of the schedule for the voters. It is almost certain that the BJP government in Goa did not convey to the Election Commission that April 17, 2014 is Maundy Thursday and a restricted holiday, on which all Catholics have an obligation to attend protracted church services. The same BJP government had previously even cancelled Good Friday as a holiday in the State. The Congress as usual must be in its slumber and not even aware of the implications of the election date”, stated UGDP vice-president Radharao Gracias.
“Undoubtedly, the holding of elections on Maundy Thursday is casting a great burden on the Catholic community all over the country wherever elections are scheduled on that day. It is also quite possible that the BJP has fraudulently manipulated the Election Commission to hold elections on a day on which most Catholics would find it difficult to be at the polling booths. It is a day on which the Catholics who are government servants would prefer to keep away from work to attend obligatory church services by taking advantage of the restricted holiday,” he added.
Former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao also questioned the decision of the Election Commission of India to hold the Lok Sabha polls for Goa on Maundy Thursday.
Meanwhile, Dramapur-Sirlim panchayat has decided to adopt a resolution at its meeting on Monday calling for re-scheduling of the Goa election date.
