Goa: The State Government on Tuesday informed Goa Bench of Bombay High Court that the notification for the panchayat elections would be issued on May 25, while the elections for 186 panchayats would be held in June.

The Bombay High Court at Goa is currently hearing two PILs simultaneously challenging the entire Panchayat poll process and government’s jurisdiction over delimitations of wards.

When the matter came up for admission this afternoon, the Advocate General Dattaprasad Lawande informed Court that delimitation process was delayed due to the two-month-long code of conduct which was in force due to the State assembly elections held in February 4 and counting on March 11.

He said that the delimitation process would be completed by May 12 and notification of election would be issued by May 25.

Advocate General submission was with reference to the petition that challenged the constitutional validity of the Director of Panchayats and Director of Municipal administration delimiting and reserving wards.

After the hearing the Court held that the petition calls for proper examination of constitutional provisions and state laws concerning who should delimit and reserve wards.

The court has admitted the matter and fixed it after vacation for final hearing.

Petitioner in its petition has stated, that according to Article 243 K and 243 ZA the powers to conduct process of delimitation and reservation is vested only with the State Election Commission (SEC).

The petitioner has further stated that, for free and fare election as per the Constitution of India, the delimitations and reservations should be conducted by SEC and not by the Directorate of Panchayats or Municipalities.

Team TNV