Reg. No. RNP/GOA/32/2024-2026
RNI No. GOAENG/2002/6410
Panaji, 18th December, 2025 (Agrahayana 27, 1947) SERIES III No. 38
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
EXTRAORDINARY
GOVERNMENT OF GOA
Department of Home
Office of the District Collector and District Magistrate, South
Order
38/35/1/2025/Z.P.ELN-2025/MAG/XII/M.O.3913
Read: Order No. 38/35/1/2025/Z.P. ELN-2025/MAG/XII/M.O.3907 dated 17-12-2025.
Under Section 163 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Whereas, the Goa State Election Commission has announced the ensuing Zilla Panchayat Election, 2025 for South Goa Zilla Panchayat Constituencies which are scheduled to be held on 20-12-2025 (Saturday) and counting of polled votes fixed on 22-12-2025. The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect. The Goa State Election Commission has issued directions to ensure free, fair and peaceful Election;
And whereas, political disputes, confrontation, violence and breach of peace may arise on the eve of the poll due to misuse of hotels, restaurants, tea shops, paan shops and other food shops/joints (dhabas, gaddas) etc., due to gathering of crowd in the vicinity of 200 meters of the polling station and Counting Centre which may create nuisance, law and order problem or may also create a situation of undue pressure or influence on the voter;
And whereas, Sections 170 and 171 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) disallow attempts of bribery and undue influence on any person or voter and whoever commits offence of bribery is punishable under Section 173 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and whoever commits the offence of undue influence or impersonation at an election is punishable under Section 174 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita;
And whereas, I am satisfied that the circumstances do not permit the serving, in due time, of the notices individually upon the persons against whom this order is directed and therefore, under the powers vested in me under sub-section (2) of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, I hereby pass the order ex-parte.
Suggestions are welcomed on e-mail: [email protected] 3579OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES III No. 38 (EXTRAORDINARY) 18TH DECEMBER, 2025 Now therefore, I, Egna Cleetus, IAS, District Magistrate, South Goa District, in exercise of the powers vested in me under sub-section (1) of Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 hereby issue following prohibitory orders:
1. That all restaurants, bars, tea shops, paan shops, eateries and other food shops/joints (dhabas, gaddas) etc., situated in the jurisdiction of Zilla Panchayat Constituencies in South Goa District within 200 meters of the following shall remain closed:
i) The polling station w.e.f. 06.00 hrs. to 21.00 hrs. on the day of poll i.e. on 20-12-2025,
ii) The counting centres w.e.f. 06.00 hrs. to till end of counting of votes on 22-12-2025.
2. Ban any gathering or crowd comprising more than 5 persons within 200 meters of polling stations within the Zilla Panchayat Constituencies in South Goa District.
I further direct that the above restrictions shall not apply to public servants on duty and to bonafide marriage or funeral processions or religious processions/functions. Also, the above order shall not apply to the authorised officers on Election duty including the Polling Officials, Magistrates, Police Officials and Government Staff.
Failure to comply with this order shall be liable for penal action under Section 223 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) and other relevant provisions of laws in force.
This Order shall supersede the Order No. 38/35/1/2025/Z.P. ELN-2025/MAG/XII/M.O.3907 dated 17-12-2025.
Given under my hand and seal of this office on this 17th day of December, 2025.
Egna Cleetus, IAS, The District Magistrate, South Goa District, Margao-Goa.
______
Order
No. 38/35/1/2025/Z.P.ELN-2025/MAG/XII/M.O.3914
Under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Whereas, the Goa State Election Commission has announced the ensuing Zilla Panchayat Election, 2025 for South Goa Zilla Panchayat Constituencies which are scheduled to be held on 20-12-2025 (Saturday) and counting of polled votes fixed on 22-12-2025 (Monday). The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect. The Goa State Election Commission has issued directions to ensure free, fair and peaceful Election;
And whereas, political disputes, confrontation, violence and breach of peace may arise on the eve of the Poll day due to misuse of hotels, restaurants, tea shops, pan shops and other food shops (dhabas, gaddas) etc., particularly during door to door campaigning or intimidation of voters or influencing voters and due to gathering of crowd at such places within the vicinity of 200 mts. of the Polling Station which may create nuisance and law and order problems;
And whereas, Section 126 of the Representation of People Act 1951, no public meetings, processions, musical concert or rally or any kind of propagation of any election matter for campaigning or electioneering is to be allowed in the last 48 hours from the commencement of Poll i.e. 08:00 hours on 18-12-2025;
And whereas, Sections 170 and 171 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 prohibits and penalize bribery and undue influence, while Section 176 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita penalizes any attempt for illegal payments for promoting election of any Candidate;
Now therefore, I, Egna Cleetus, IAS, District Magistrate, South Goa District, Margao-Goa, in exercise of the powers vested in me under sub-section (1) of Section 163 of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, do hereby order that:
From 08.00 hours of 18-12-2025 to 18.00 hours of 20-12-2025 in the jurisdiction of Zilla Panchayat Constituencies of South Goa District:
OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES III No. 38 (EXTRAORDINARY) 18TH DECEMBER, 2025a) There shall be ban on unlawful assembly as per sub-section (1) of Section 189 of B.N.S. and any procession or rally shall be strictly prohibited to prevent any nuisance disturbances and law and order problem.
b) No loud speaker shall be permitted to be used for the purpose of elections during the period of 48 hours from the commencement of the poll.
c) Vehicles permitted to all Contesting Candidates by the Returning Officers for campaigning shall not ply on roads during the period to avoid any distribution of money or gifts or liquor and to prevent any nuisance and law and order problems, except the vehicles authorized by the Returning Officers on the day of Poll.
d) All private vehicles shall be subject to inspections in a dignified manner as per rules to avoid their misuse for distribution of money or gifts or liquor and for causing any nuisance also to avoid any harassment to private persons.
e) However, this order shall not apply to Officers authorised on Election Duty by the District Election Officer, South Goa District or the State Government including the Polling Officials, Magistrates and Police Officials.
Given under my hand and seal of this office, on this 17th day of December, 2025.
Egna Cleetus, IAS, The District Magistrate, South Goa District, Margao-Goa.
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