Goa's 185 Panchayat elections deferred to May 5- SEC

Panaji, Apr 5 (UNI) Goa state Election Commission (GSEC) today postponed the date of the General Elections of 185 village panchayats in the state on May 5 instead of earlier scheduled on April 29.

GSEC Commissioner Mr P M Borkar said the date has been deferred in view of the decision of the Goa Government to fix the new date of Panchayat poll as May 5 and the notification was issued by the secretary panchayat to that effect.

Mr Borkar said those who filed their nomination papers from April 2 will be considered and Nomination papers will be accepted till April 11 in the office of the returning officers during office hours. He said two days have been extended as interested candidates, who wanted to file the nomination, had to face difficulty to get ST/ OBC certificate due to holidays.

The scrutiny will be held on April 12 and 13, withdrawal of nomination papers will be on April 14.

The polling will be on May 5 between 0800 and 1700 hours while the counting will be done on May 6 and 7.

The code of conduct is in force from April 2 to May 7, 2007.

Mr Borkar said total of 357 candidates had filed their nomination papers so far. Today 329 candidates from different talukas filed their nomination papers. Yesterday 37 nominations were received and on May 3 only one nomination.

UNI