PANJIM: The opposition Congress party on Monday alleged that ‘sincere candidates’ contesting the panchayat elections are being intimidated by the ruling dispensation.
Speaking to reporters, Congress spokespersons Capt Viriato Fernandes and Elvis Gomes said that the government machinery is being misused and candidates have been threatened. “If such things happen then there will be no meaning left for democracy,” he said, demanding that democracy has to survive.
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Fernandes alleged that a voter residing in ward 6 of Chicolna-Bogmalo village panchayat allegedly committed suicide after he was issued a demolition notice after he was threatened for not supporting a candidate. Stating that the panchayat elections are not fought on party lines, he appealed to the people not to get scared and to elect candidates of their choice on polling day.
“We have brought incidents of threats and intimidation to the notice of the State Election Commissioner and the District Magistrates,” he said demanding that no coercive methods be used by Ministers in influencing voters.
