Congress Challenges Goa Civil Servants' Transfer
The Congress party in Goa is raising alarms regarding the recent transfer of 34 civil servants shortly after the Election Commission (EC) announced a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This situation has sparked concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, as Congress argues that these transfers violate established guidelines meant to maintain neutrality during elections.
On Monday, the Goa government carried out what it termed “routine” transfers of junior scale officers, just a day after the EC’s announcement. Government officials stated that some of these officers had been awaiting new postings. However, Amit Patkar, president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, highlighted that many of the transferred officials, including deputy collectors and chief officers, are directly involved in the electoral process, particularly in the ongoing SIR.
In a letter addressed to Goa’s Chief Electoral Officer, Patkar urged urgent intervention to address these transfers, asserting that they contravene the guidelines set forth by the Election Commission of India, which prohibits transfers of officials connected with electoral duties without prior approval. He emphasized that maintaining the neutrality and transparency of the electoral process in Goa is paramount.
In response to the controversy, Goa’s Chief Electoral Officer, Sanjay Goel, convened a meeting with representatives from various political parties to discuss SIR preparations. Goel confirmed that some electoral registration officers were included in the reshuffle and mentioned plans to take up the issue with the state government.
Meanwhile, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant welcomed the EC’s announcement of SIR, expressing that it would enhance the integrity of the electoral process. He stated that a clean and transparent voter list is essential for a strong democracy. Sawant reassured that the initiative would help identify and rectify discrepancies, eliminating ineligible entries, including illegal voters and immigrants, thus reinforcing the electoral process's reliability.
The unfolding situation in Goa highlights the delicate balance needed to uphold electoral integrity while managing bureaucratic processes. As the SIR continues, the political landscape remains attentive to any actions that may influence the electoral fairness in the state.
