Goa Polls: Code of Conduct from January, Elections in Feb: Michael Lobo

PANAJI: Ports Minister Michael Lobo who represents the Calangute constituency in North Goa, today said the Code of Conduct could come into force in Goa from January and hinted that the Goa State Assembly elections will be held in the first half of February next year.

Reliable sources at the Election Commission of India (ECI) in New Delhi, indicated that elections for the Goa State Assembly are likely to be held anytime between 5th February to 20th February, 2022.

There are chances that the polls could be delayed by 15 to 25 days or even 45 to 60 days, if the Covid situation in the coastal State fluctuates, with number of positive cases rising drastically, but if things continue the way they are presently, Goans should expect elections between the 5th to the 20th of February 2022, a senior ECI official told this reporter.

The peak tourist season during December -January, coupled with the entry of charter flights into Goa from 15th November, bringing in thousands of foreigners could have an impact on the Covid situation in the state, the senior electoral officer said, in which case there could be a slight postponement and also imposition of certain curbs and restrictions on movement of people in the coastal state, he informed.

The State Election Commissioner (SEC) for Goa has already listed out and published the schedule for special summary revision and updating of voter records and stated that the final, updated electoral roll will be published on or by 5th January, 2022. Even if we consider a margin of an additional 7 to 10 days, the ECI could announce and notify the polls by mid-January, meaning that the Code of Conduct could come in force from mid January, next year.

Restaurant, hotel owners and other businesses in Goa will have to keep in mind that several restrictions are imposed, particularly concerning sale of alcohol or time/duration of keeping restaurants open, once the Code of Conduct is in force.

From the day the Code of Conduct comes into force and candidates start filing their nominations, till the actual day/date of election is a minimum of 30 days. Considering all these factors, elections in Goa could be anywhere during the second or third week of February, next year.

Additional chief electoral officer for Goa, Narayan Sawant, had informed all political parties in the state at a meeting held in the first week of October, that the publication of the first draft electoral roll would be done on November 1 and filing of claims and objections would be from November 1 to November 30.

Sawant told representatives of political parties, that during the ‘special campaign’ to enroll new or first-time voters, booth-level officers (BLOs) will be present at polling stations on November 20, 21, 27, and 28. He said that disposal of claims would be done on December 20 and the final publication of the electoral roll will be done on January 5, 2022.

However, this date is not always sacrosanct and gets delayed or postponed by a few days, either due to technical glitches or some persons approaching the High Court with grievances.