SANDEEP VAZARKAR Vs. STATE OF GOA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned Counsel for the parties.

(2.) Rule in both the petitions. The rule is made returnable immediately at the request of and with the consent of the learned Counsel for the parties. Even otherwise, by our order dtd. 21/6/2022, we had made it clear that these matters cannot brook any delay.

(3.) The term of 186 Panchayats in the State of Goa, including the Village Panchayat of Socorro, ended on 18/6/2022. The Goa State Election Commission (SEC) had proposed to hold elections on 29/5/2022, 4/6/2022, 11/6/2022, 15/6/2022 and 18/6/2022. However, the SEC claims that no elections could be held for want of the State Government issuing Notification under Rule 10(1) of the Goa Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat (Election Procedure) Rules, 1996, appointing the date for holding of the election. The State Government refutes this charge. They say that the SEC is responsible for the failure. Neither offers convincing reasons for the failure to observe the Constitutional mandate.