A day after State government announced to hold panchayat elections on June 25, the Congress party protested against postponement of the polls- which were suppose to be held in mid-May.

In a representation submitted to the State Election Commission, Congress state President Luizinho Faleiro has accused BJP-led coalition government of trying to “manipulate the tenets of democracy” by putting off elections.

“These elections should not be postponed to June since the month marks the start of monsoon and thus will make it difficult for prospective voters to participate in the electoral process,” Faleiro said in a letter to the commission.

He also pointed out that the traditional Sao-Joao festival which will be celebrated on June 24 will have the impact of election code- which would be in force.

The five year term of 186 village end on May 18. The State Election Commission had proposed May 21 as election dates.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday announced postponement of panchayat elections as, he contended, Goa remained under a long spell of Model Code of Conduct on account of the February 4 assembly elections and the wait thereafter for more than a month for the results to be out. Parrikar said people also tend to go on vacations in May, due to which panchayat elections could witness a low voter turnout.

Team TNV