Mahima
The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court set aside the notification issued by the state government regarding the reservation of wards for the Goa Civic Polls 2021.
The Directorate of Municipal Administration on 4th February 2021, issued a Notice reserving numerous wards in five out of eleven civic bodies for the upcoming polls.
The Court ordered the Goa government to reconduct the exercise of reservation of wards in the five municipal councils of Margao, Mormugao, Mapusa, Sanguem, and Quepem. The bench added that the election process in other municipalities should continue as per the schedule declared by State Election Commission (SEC).
Elections for 11 municipal councils and Corporation of the City of Panaji comprising 2.5L voters were announced by the SEC last week to be held on 20th March.
The Nine petitioners included the Goa Forward Party and Indian National Congress who alleged that the reservation of wards was illogical, unnecessary, and politically motivated.
The Leader of Opposition in the Goa Assembly, Digambar Kamat reacted to the Court’s verdict on Twitter, “With Hon’ble High Court striking down DMA notification dated 4th February 2021 on Municipal Ward Reservations, it is Beginning of End of @BJP4Goa Governments Jumla Raj with manipulations in electoral polls. Let us all rise to Save Democracy.”
Goa Forward Party’s Chief Vijay Sardesai also welcomed the Court’s order and tweeted, “Satyamev Jayate!”
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