Panaji: The chief electoral officer (CEO) of Goa sought detailed reports from the North and South Goa collectors following complaints from Congress and GFP about alleged malpractices during the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) process in the state.The two parties raised serious concerns about grave procedural lapses, lack of transparency, and unconstitutional practices during the verification of voters.
The office of the CEO directed the collectors to “furnish reports” immediately.“This development vindicates the concerns raised by Congress that the SIR process, instead of strengthening democracy, is being conducted in a manner that raises serious doubts about its intent, fairness, and legality,” said state Congress president, Amit Patkar.Congress and GFP alleged that the SIR led to arbitrary deletions of voters from the electoral roll, and that objections were being entertained, resulting in confusion and fear among voters.Patkar claimed that, in several instances, Form 7 objections were being accepted from persons who were neither from the same electoral part nor directly affected, opening the door to large-scale misuse.Both Congress and GFP alleged that the verification process lacked transparency and thereby risked the disenfranchisement of genuine voters. They also alleged that govt was trying to manipulate the electoral rolls and selectively target voters.The parties also called for an immediate review of the SIR process, with clear, written guidelines issued to all booth level officers and returning officers to ensure that no voter is deleted without strict adherence to law and a proper hearing.“The CEO’s move signals official scrutiny into objections and deletions flagged in the ongoing electoral roll revision exercise,” said GFP in a statement.
