Panaji: January 4, 2016 …. The General Assembly Elections to the State of Goa has been announced to be held on February 4, 2017 with the result scheduled on March 11, 2017 and the Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect.
Shri Swapnil Naik, Collector and District Election Officer, South Goa District, Margao addressing the media officials at the Collectorate today informed that the elections machinery for which various arrangements were already underway have been made operational. It will be ensured that the banners/posters displayed at all locations will be removed within 24 hours which are on private property and no banners/posters will be allowed even on private property, he said.
Shri Naik said 848 Polling Stations in the South Goa District will be manned by 4240 staff requisitioned and trained for conducting free, fair and transparent elections. A target of having 90% voter turnout have been set for the forthcoming elections for which all out efforts to educate and motivate the voters were and are being made through SVEEP activities conducted in the entire district and more particularly at various colleges, streets, market places, etc
He pointed that fifty Flying Squad teams consisting of 150 officials and eleven Static Surveillance Teams consisting of 33 officers and armed police personnel covering entire district have been set up for effective monitoring and surveillance. Two flying squads teams per constituencies have been formed, he added.
The Control Rooms at District and Taluka level have been set to address all complaints. Complaints at the District Control Room and for Salcete taluka can be made on 2794100; Ponda – 2312121; Dharbandora – 2614111; Mormugao – 2513014; Canacona – 2643329 and Quepem on 2662228.
21 Video Surveillance team consisting of 21 officers; 95 sector officers covering 848 polling stations; 21 teams of accounting and Video Viewing and 21 Assistant Expenditure Observer are appointed to monitor any wrongdoings during the elections period. He urged the political parties and the candidates not to have rallies and meetings etc without prior permission of the concerned authorities.
Shri Naik also maintained that the sale of goods like mobile phone, refrigerators, two wheelers including sale of alcohol will be monitored till the election process is over.
Shri Shekhar Prabhudessai, Supdt. Of Police, South Goa District appealed to the arm license holders to deposit their arms by January 6, 2017 excluding the people who are exempted to do so. He informed that out of 1998 arms in the District only 1305 have been deposited.
