Goa Congress Confronts Electoral Authorities Over Voter List Concerns
A delegation from the Goa Congress party met with the state's chief electoral officer today. The group voiced strong objections to what they called serious flaws in the ongoing Summary Revision of electoral rolls process.
Leadership Leads the Charge
State Congress president Amit Patkar headed the delegation. He was joined by MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira and other key party representatives. Together, they presented their case directly to the election authorities in Panaji.
The Congress leaders expressed deep concern about the current SIR process. They highlighted what they see as grave procedural errors that threaten democratic participation.
The Core Complaint: Voter Disenfranchisement Risk
The delegation warned about a dangerous possibility. They stated that nearly 2.9 lakh voters face arbitrary deletion from the electoral rolls. The party termed this situation a direct attack on the fundamental democratic rights of Goan citizens.
Congress representatives reminded officials of a crucial Supreme Court ruling. The court clearly stated that no voter can be removed without first issuing a proper show-cause notice. This legal safeguard, they argued, is being completely ignored in the current process.
Demands for Fairness and Transparency
The party did not mince words in its criticism. They slammed the chief electoral officer for overseeing what they consider a flawed system. The Congress delegation put forward three specific demands to rectify the situation.
- They called for complete transparency in the electoral roll revision process.
- They demanded the organization of widespread voter awareness camps across Goa.
- They requested an extension of the current rushed timeline to allow for proper verification.
A Firm Warning to Authorities
Congress issued a clear warning to the election authorities. The party stated it will not tolerate any attempt to suppress voters or manipulate the electoral process. They pledged to fight vigorously for every citizen's constitutional right to vote.
The delegation emphasized that protecting voter rights remains their top priority. They promised to use all democratic means to ensure a fair and inclusive electoral process in Goa.
