Panaji: Congress spokesperson and former Margao Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson Savio Coutinho has accused the Goa State Election Commission (SEC) of delaying the 2026 municipal elections through what he termed a “faulty and farcical” ward delimitation process.
Addressing a press conference at the GPCC office along with Lincoln Gomes and Anwar Naroo, Coutinho alleged that the election process was being manipulated due to the government’s fear of public resentment.
Coutinho said the current ward division notification lacked transparency, particularly because it did not specify the total number of voters in each ward. He claimed that the absence of voter data could create scope for irregularities in electoral rolls once the elections are announced.
He also objected to what he described as “patchwork” ward boundaries, alleging that geographically disconnected areas were being brought together. Citing the newly notified Ward No. XXVI, he claimed that areas such as Azad Nagar and portions near Rajendra Prasad Stadium had been clubbed together despite being nearly a kilometre apart.
According to Coutinho, such fragmented wards could create difficulties for residents in accessing their elected representatives and may result in administrative neglect.
He further alleged that changes in ward numbers could influence reservation patterns and potentially benefit ruling-party candidates and their relatives while disadvantaging opposition candidates.
Coutinho’s Demands
Coutinho has submitted a detailed objection to the SEC and demanded:
A fresh notification clearly mentioning voter numbers in every ward.
The difference in voter numbers between wards to be restricted to 500.
Geographical continuity in all ward boundaries.
An end to the alleged “patchwork” system of ward formation.
Restoration of the previous ward-numbering system, beginning with Ward No. I in Fatorda.
Fresh delimitation of the areas before the municipal elections.
Coutinho urged the State Election Commission to reconsider the current ward division and ensure that the municipal election process remains free, fair and transparent.
He also called on the SEC to respect court rulings and uphold constitutional principles of democratic local self-governance.
