Panaji: The Goa State Election Commission (SEC) is expected to finalise new wards for 11 municipal councils next week, based on the population in the municipal council areas rather than the number of electorates. Earlier, SEC wards were created based on the number of electorates in the municipal areas.
A senior government officer stated that the total number of wards will be notified next week. The SEC has received the population census and is finalising the wards based on population, the officer added.
The SEC had initiated the process for dividing municipal areas into wards for the general election to 11 municipal councils: Pernem, Valpoi, Bicholim, Mapusa, Mormugao, Margao, Cuncolim, Quepem, Canacona, Curchorem-Cacora, and Sanguem.
“On the basis of the Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 (Ordinance No. 4 of 2026), the delimitation process already carried out has become infructuous and the entire process of delimitation carried out is declared null and void,” said Menino D’Souza, Commissioner of SEC.
After the new wards are carved out, the SEC will undertake delimitation, followed by reservation and the announcement of elections for the municipal councils. One or two wards are likely to be added across 10 municipal councils ahead of the upcoming urban civic polls, depending on their classification. The state government has categorised municipal councils into A, B, and C classes, with each category stipulating a specific range of wards.
The SEC has decided to increase two wards for Class A municipalities and one ward for Class B, except for the Mapusa Municipal Council, which already has 20 wards. An officer noted that a municipality cannot have more than 20 wards.
“The final decision to increase the number of wards will be taken in consultation with the state government,” the officer said.
Elections for Bicholim, Pernem, Valpoi, Cuncolim, Curchorem-Cacora, and Canacona were held in March 2021, while elections for Mapusa, Margao, Quepem, Sanguem, and Mormugao were held in April 2021. The state government has appointed administrators to the municipal councils whose tenure has ended.
The Times of India reported that the state government has notified the Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, which will delay the elections for 11 municipalities scheduled to be held in May.
