Panaji, 18th January, 2021 (Pausa 28, 1942)
SERIES II No. 42
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
EXTRAORDINARY
GOVERNMENT OF GOA
Department of Elections
Goa State Election Commission
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Notification
No. 4/21/GMCNSE/SEC-2020/53
Read: Notification No-4/21/GMCNSE/SEC-2019/
/1059 dated:- 17-08-2020.
The Commission vide above referred notification
had postponed the General elections to the
11 Municipal Councils namely, Bicholim, Cuncolim,
Curchorem-Cacora, Canacona, Mapusa, Margao,
Mormugao, Pernem, Quepem, Sanguem and Valpoi
in the State fixed on 18th October, 2020 for a period
of three months, which is due to expire on 18th
January, 2021.
With respect to the elections to the City
Corporation of Panaji-2021, the five years term of
the City Corporation of Panaji (CCP) is going to
expire on 14th March, 2021. The Commission had
proposed to hold the election to the CCP on 28th
February, 2021 in accordance with the sub-rule 1
of Rule 4 of the CCP (Election) Rules, 2004 vide
our letter No. 6/16/GECCP/2020-SEC/1030 dated
5th August, 2020.
The Government vide letter No. 10/847/Election/
/CCP/DMA/2020/1571 dated 22nd September, 2020
had advised the Commission that the said elections
may be postponed and could be decided only after
normalization of Covid-19 pandemic. Subsequently,
the Commission is in receipt of a second letter
from department of Urban Development vide
No. 10/821-2019-DMA/Election to 11 MC/4761
1015
Suggestions are welcomed on e-mail: dir–[email protected]
Reg. No. RNP/GOA/32/2021-2023
RNI No. GOAENG/2002/6410
dated 12th January, 2020 specifying the concern of
congregation of crowds during the campaign
period, which may have implications on
management of Covid-19 and requested to
reconsider the date for holding the elections to
11 Municipal Councils and CCP Elections 2021.
Government has also requested to hold the
elections to 11 Municipal Councils and City
Corporation of Panaji together, in order to avoid
prolonged period of Code of Conduct which would
result in halting of development works and allied
activities.
The Commission has given a thoughtful
consideration to the concerns shown by the
Government regarding the congregation of crowds
during the campaign period and holding all the
Elections together. The election process involves
holding of public meetings/rallies/processions
during the campaign period and enforcing the
health protocols and regulating the number of
participants in the gatherings, restricted as per
the Government instructions will be a serious issue.
The Commission recently conducted General
Elections to Zilla Panchayats in the State on 12th
December, 2020 as the entire pre poll election
process till the election campaigning was
completed prior to the spread of Covid-19 and only
the polling was to be held.
The Commission is also conscious of the fact
that the officers responsible for conduct of the
elections like ROs and AROs are going to be from
amongst the officers who are presently working as
the Deputy Collectors and Mamlatdars respectively.
And also the fact that these officers will be engaged
in the management of Covid Vaccination
throughout the State which will be held in the