Goa suggests September for panchayat polls, cites rains, staff crunch

PANAJI: Goa government on Monday submitted to the high court that it would be appropriate to hold the elections to 186 village panchayats in September as it feared low turnout due to peak monsoon season and also shortage of staff as most are engaged in disaster management.
The Goa government also submitted that if the elections are held in September, it may be possible to comply with the triple test and provide reservation to the OBC category on account of the time available.
“The state government has rightly decided that the election should be deferred on account of the monsoon. I say that it would be appropriate to hold the elections in September 2022. I say that in the meanwhile, on account of the time that is available, it may be also possible to comply with the triple test and provide reservation to the OBC category, which is statutorily provided for,” director of panchayats Siddhi Halarnakar said in the affidavit filed before the HC.
Recently, the state government appointed administrators to 175 village panchayats whose terms ended on June 19.
Halarnakar said that there are various problems related to the transportation of election material and staff on account of rain. “I say that it is pertinent to note that the election will be held using ballot paper. As such, there are chances of the paper being spoiled or the ink being smudged, etc, when the voter handles the ballot paper.”
The director of panchayats said that there are reports that suggest that on an average there is an impact of roughly 20% reduction in voter turnout if polls are scheduled during the monsoon and cited the example of the by-poll for Ernakulam constituency in Kerala in 2019 which saiw its lowest turnout of 53.32%.
Harlarnakar also stated that “respondent no 2 (SEC) requisitions staff and machinery”, and that these are a part of the staff involved in disaster management and will have to be diverted for election training and duties. “I say that the staff has to stay overnight in election centres on the day prior to the polling day. If there are issues on account of flooding or power failure or other issues which prevail during the monsoons, the same can cause major problems, including security issues.”