Panaji: Elections to the municipal councils of Ponda and Sanquelim will be held on May 5, 2023, as the term of the existing councils expires on May 20.
The results of the polls will be out on May 7.
Coming out with this information, state election commissioner W.V. Ramanmurthy said on Saturday that the election code of conduct has come into force in all the areas under the jurisdiction of the two municipalities.
“The elections would be held on May 5, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. COVID-19 positive patients will be able to cast their vote in the last hour of the polls, that is from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.,” he added, informing that the voting will be held through ballot paper on non-party lines. The Ponda municipal council has 16,305 voters – 8,152 males and 8,153 females.
The Sanquelim municipal council has 8,640 voters – 4,239 males and 4,401 females.
There are 15 wards in the PMC, while the SMC has 12 wards.
Addressing a press conference in the city, the state election commissioner said the maximum limit on election expenses by a candidate is Rs 2 lakh.
“In the pursuance to the amendment to Section 10 of the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968, the state election commission initiated the task of fixing the number and extent of the wards into which the municipal area shall be divided – that is the delimitation of municipal wards and reservation of seats – for the ensuing election to Ponda and Sanquelim municipal councils 2023,” he added, pointing out that the state poll panel has already published ward-wise voter lists on March 28, 2023, factoring in the electoral rolls of the state legislative assembly prepared under the provisions of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1950 (Central Act 43 of 1951).
It was also informed that the district collectors have been appointed as municipal council election officers, while the deputy collector/SDM of Ponda and Bicholim talukas have been appointed as returning officers.
The mamlatdars of Ponda and Bicholim talukas have been appointed as assistant returning officers.
The election commissioner also informed that the commission has appointed general observers and expenditure observers. Also, the district collectors shall appoint flying squads to monitor enforcement of the poll code.
Replying to a question, he said the PMC has five reserved wards, while the SMC has four reserved wards.
Nomination papers can be submitted from April 10 to April 18, except April 14 and April 16. The scrutiny of nominations will be on April 19, while withdrawal of candidature will be on April 20.
The list of contesting candidates will be released on April 20.
As per Rule 12 of the of the Goa Municipalities (Election) Rules, 1969, it is incumbent upon the candidates to file an affidavit in the prescribed Form XXIII along with the nomination form.
The counting of votes will be on May 7 from 8 a.m. onwards at the notified counting centers.