In a hearing before the High Court, the State Election Commission has contended that Goa government has not amended the respective Acts giving power to the State Election Commission of delimitation and reservation in the panchayat and municipal areas in accordance with the Constitution of India. The High Court will hear this matter on Tuesday.

Petitioner Mango Foundation in it’s petition filed before the High Court has challenged the power of Goa government to delimit the panchayat and municipal areas and decide about reservations. The petitioner contends that as per present Goa Panchayat Raj Act and Goa Municipalities Act, the State government has power to delimit the panchayat and municipal areas and decide about reservations. But it is in violation of basic structure of Constitution of India to conduct free and fair elections. Even the State Election Commission in an affidavit filed before the High Court has contended that Goa government has not amended the respective Acts in consonance with Constitution of India.

 “The State Election Commission wanted the petitioners to approach the court well in advance, we wanted to conduct the elections as early as possible, May 27 is the day when the term of the present panchayat will get over. The State Election Commission wanted to conduct the panchayat elections on May 21 but due to these circumstances it is likely that the elections may get postponed,” said S.N. Joshi advocate for the State Election Commission.

Team TNV