Villagers to approach Election Commission, seek resurvey of two wards
Margao : The Seraulim gram sabha on Sunday expressed grave concern over discrepancies in the electoral roll of two wards and demanded a resurvey of the entire village voters list. The meeting saw strong participation from youth members who said they were alarmed by the irregularities highlighted last week.
Gwencia Gomes, a youth member, said, “As a concerned youth of Seraulim along with my youth members, I attended the gram sabha because of the over 80 voters who are non-Goans and were being added to one address. As a villager, it is wrong for people who don’t even know the candidates properly to vote while we original Suralkars are being denied justice.” Members alleged that buses from Karnataka often ferry people during elections.
Gram sabha member Kevin D’Souza said, “This is something that has been happening for the past 10 years and we get leaders who are voted by these migrant voters. This time we have been able to identify who they are. We request the election commissioner where this has to be cross-checked, especially when we have new forms of technology.”
The gram sabha resolved to appeal to the Election Commission for a resurvey of the two wards, and if possible, the entire village. Members said migrants enrol in multiple constituencies, distorting the village demography and “spoiling the true essence of democracy.”
Other issues were also raised, including flooding at the underbridge and roadside littering caused by waste from food outlets not being collected. Villagers said dogs rummage through the garbage bags, worsening the mess.
Traffic concerns on the Western Bypass were also flagged. “The Western Bypass has two approach roads and people who come from Cuncolim cannot enter Seraulim via the correct road and use a no-entry road instead. This is dangerous and could cause a serious accident or worse, death,” said D’Souza.
Youth member Ezeikel Gomes added, “Being a student, it is a route that I use daily to travel to and from home and college and it certainly is a serious concern.” Suggestions included installing CCTV cameras with AI technology to curb violations.
