New Delhi, Nov. 8 -- The Opposition parties in Goa Friday raised concerns regarding the timing of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Goa, claiming the process, being conducted simultaneously with the zilla panchayat elections scheduled for December 13, would jeopardise the free and fair conduct of the polls. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa in-charge and former Delhi chief minister Atishi said the party met the Election Commission of India Friday to flag their concerns over the SIR process, taking place at a time of local body polls in the state.
"The SIR process has begun in Goa and the draft roll is scheduled to be released on December 9. But it is a matter of concern for us that the zilla panchayat elections are also happening in Goa during this time," she said. The zilla panchayat election is on December 13. "In 2-3 days, the Model Code of Conduct will come into effect. So naturally, when elections are underway, the entire machinery of all political parties will be involved in the election process and campaign and no political party will have the time to monitor or oversee the SIR process. Therefore, it is a matter of concern as to why both these processes are being conducted simultaneously in Goa," she said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.