A complaint has today been filed with Goa’s Chief Electoral Officer over the Ministers in the State continuing to hear appeals filed by citizens under various prevailing Acts and laws in the State.
Pointing out that the Model Code of Conduct for the ensuing Goa Assembly elections having come into effect from 4th Jan, it is incumbent upon the government to comply with it in letter and spirit, in the complaint it has been stated that it is very inappropriate to allow the Ministers to continue hearing these appeals as they being likely candidates at the ensuing elections, would be and/or are in a position to influence voters through their orders. It has been sought that immediate directives be issued that powers to hear appeals now during the Model Code of Conduct be delegated to an appropriate officer possibly the Secretary in charge of the concerned department. Stating that this can be done by delegated power as done in case of matters under Section 178 of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, in the complaint in has further been stated that alternatively the Ministers be restrained from hearing the appeals during the Model Code of Conduct as an adjournment by one month would do no harm nor cause injustice. In the complaint also drawn is the attention of the Chief Electoral Officer that the Ministers in the State of Goa have not surrendered their personal staff as required once the Model Code of Conduct comes into force. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com