Margao: A day after the state government notified the amendment increasing the number of wards in A-Class municipalities to 27, Margao BJP MLA Digambar Kamat on Friday said the amendment to Section 9 of the Goa Municipal Act, 1968 — increasing the number of wards in A-Class municipalities from 25 to 27 — will help maintain voter balance in the forthcoming municipal elections.
This change currently applies to two A-Class municipalities—Mormugao and Margao.
Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, who represents three wards of the Margao Municipal Council from his constituency’s Housing Board area, said one of his wards has a large voter population, which could justify the creation of an additional ward. “However, I will ascertain the facts and comment later, as until now I remain unaware of the potential delimitation,” he said.
Fatorda GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai said that if the amendment is aimed at better administration or voter balance, it would be welcome.
“If the government genuinely aims to extend the wards for the purpose of improved administration, we harbour no objections. However, if this amendment is enacted to seize control of the municipal council by creating additional wards in their own territories or strongholds, thereby undermining the assembly constituency segments, it is decidedly detrimental. Regardless of the ruling party’s intentions, such manipulations will not deter the electorate from ousting a corrupt and inept municipal administration,” he said.
The Margao Municipal Council currently has 25 wards: 11 each in Margao and Fatorda constituencies, and three in the Curtorim constituency. The addition of two wards could play a key role in next year’s municipal elections.
“Where these wards will be established is now the decision of the Election Commission, unlike previous instances when the Directorate of Municipal Administration was involved. I believe the extension of the wards is crucial for balancing the voter demographic,” Kamat said.
Sardesai added that people at both the national and state levels have little faith in the Election Commission, which he alleged seeks to favour the BJP.
