Parrikar seeks electoral revision to check bogus voters

Panaji, Mar 27 (UNI) Even as the elections in Goa are slated for mid next year, former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has sought intensive revision of electoral rolls in the state to eliminate bogus voters.

This holds significance in the light of the Central Election Commission (CEC) ordering a revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal, which faces elections shortly, to eliminate bogus voters, he told reporters here today.

Mr Parrikar also urged the Centre to post an independent Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for Goa so that he/she acts responsibly without fear or favour from politicians in power.

''Very soon, we will approach the Central Election Commission seeking to post an exclusive CEO for Goa, independent of other responsibilities so that he ensures free and fair polls in due course,'' Mr Parrikar said.

Alleging that since the current CEO Raajiv Yeduvanshi acts as the Governor's secretary, besides being a secretary of revenue and transport ministries, he was not beyond influence of the offices of Governor and the Chief Minister, the former chief Minister said hence, should be relieved of other portfolios or some other officer be posted in his place soon.

The BJP's plea with the CEO Raajiv Yeduvanshi to detect bogus voters comprising at least 12 to 18 per cent of the total 23,000 electorate in Margao Assembly constituency failed, despite providing him with evidence of tampering with records of surveyors, he added.

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