Goa State Election Commission

Goa State Election Commission
Constitutional Body overview
Formed1994[1]
JurisdictionGovernment of Goa
HeadquartersOpposite Joggers' Park, Altinho, Panaji, Goa[2]
Constitutional Body executives
  • W. V. Ramanamurthy, IAS, (Retd.), State Election Commissioner
  • Brijesh Manerkar, Secretary, State Election Commissioner
WebsiteOfficial Website
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Goa State Election Commission is an autonomous and statutory body constituted in Indian state of Goa for ensuring that elections are conducted in free, fair and unbiased way. Constitution of India with provisions as per Article 243K and 243 ZA and Article 324 ensures creation and safeguarding of the powers of State Election Commissions. Goa State Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections for Urban Local Bodies like Municipalities, Municipal Corporations, Panchayats and any other specified by Election Commission of India. Goa State Election Commissioner is appointed by Governor of Goa.

History

The State Election Commission of Goa was constituted pursuant to the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution of India, by amending the Goa Municipalities Act, 1969 and the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1993.[3] To ensure the autonomy of the position, the Goa state election commissioner cannot be removed from office except on the grounds and manner specified for judge of High Court. Geeta Sagar, IAS served as the first State Election Commissioner.[1]

List of State Election Commissioners

S.No. Name From To
1 Geeta Sagar, IAS April 1, 1995 August 18, 1995
2 B.S. Subanna October 26, 1995 August 14, 1997
3 S. D. Sadhale September 11, 1997 April 28, 2004
4 P. M. Borkar July 1, 2004 June 30, 2006
5 Dr. M. Modassir, IAS, (Retd.) August 1, 2010 January 13, 2017
6 R. K. Srivastava, IAS, (Retd.) January 14, 2017 October 30, 2020
7 Chokha Ram Garg, IAS November 3, 2020 March 12, 2021
8 W. V. Ramanamurthy, IAS, (Retd.) March 18, 2021 till date

Powers and Responsibilities

Goa States Election Commissioner is responsible for the following:[4][5]

  • Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for Municipal Corporations in State.
  • Conducting elections for Municipal Corporations in State.
  • Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.
  • Conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.[6][7]
  • Laying guidelines for persons eligible to contest in elections for Municipal Corporations in State.
  • Conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.
  • Model code of conduct are following in elections for local bodies.
  • Updating Electoral rolls with new additions.[8]
  • Updating Electoral rolls with removals, if any.
  • Declaration of results of elections held for Municipal Corporations in State.
  • Declaration of results of elections held for Municipal panchayats in State.
  • Ordering repoll if needed.

Composition

Goa State Election Commission is a one-man commission consisting of Chief Election Commissioner.[9] State Election Commissioners are independent persons not holding position or office in any Central or State Government organisations.[10][11]

Shree W V Ramanamurthy, Retd I.A.S., is the Chief Election Commissioner of Goa.[12] His period of service will be 5 years or attaining an age of 65 years whichever is earlier.

Constitutional Requirements

Goa State Election Commission was formed after amendment of Constitution with 73rd and 74th declaration.[13] State Election Commissions were formed as per Article 243K of the Constitution, similar to setting up of Election commission of India as per Article 324.[9]

See also

Election Commission of India.

References

  1. ^ a b "History of SEC – Goa State Election Commission". Archived from the original on 2022-08-01.
  2. ^ "Contact Us – Goa State Election Commission". Archived from the original on 2022-08-01.
  3. ^ "Official Gazette - Government of Goa" (PDF). goaprintingpress.gov.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  4. ^ "WHAT IS ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA (ECI)?". Business Standard India. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Election Commission directs all state electoral officers to immediately redress all pending voter applications". The Statesman. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Coronavirus: October 18 polls to 11 Goa municipal bodies postponed". www.thehansindia.com. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Garg appointed as commissioner of Goa State election commission". The Goan EveryDay. 7 November 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Drive to enroll new, left out voters today | Goa News - Times of India". The Times of India. 27 November 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  9. ^ a b "State election panels: Independent of central EC, with similar powers". The Indian Express. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  10. ^ "State election commissioners should be independent, says SC". www.telegraphindia.com. 13 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Pulling up Goa govt, Supreme Court says govt officials can't be appointed SECs". The Indian Express. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Goa State Election Commission". goa.gov.in. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  13. ^ "India State Election - Find information of all State elections in India". www.elections.in. Retrieved 6 December 2021.