Goa civic polls might be rescheduled

PANAJI: To avoid coinciding dates with " All Saints' Day" observed by the Christian community, Goa Election Commission may reschedule the polling date for upcoming Municipal elections, scheduled for November 1.

"I would be having a meeting with the Church authorities before taking any decision. If the day, November 1, is so holy and important, then we have no issue to reschedule the election," Election Commissioner Dr M Modassir told reporters today.

He said the purpose of rescheduling is to avoid inconvenience to the voters.

Social activist Aires Rodrigues had written to the commission pointing out that state government's decision to hold the election on November 1 coincides with "All Saints' Day".

"All Saints' Day", also known as "All Hallows" or "Day of all the Saints", is a holy day for Christian community celebrated to honour all the saints, known and unknown.

The tenure of the municipal bodies in towns - Margao, Mapusa, Mormugao, Ponda, Pernem, Bicholim, Sankhali, Valpoi, Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona ends on November 11.

State Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had said that the election would not be fought on party lines.