Goa elections: Election Commission might refuse permission to Goa carnival

PANAJI: There’s uncertainty over the state-sponsored Carnival with officials indicating that the Election Commission might refuse permission. The tourism department said, “Celebration of Carnival 2012 will take place subject to receipt of NOC from EC.”

Poll officials said time was running out for Carnival committees to submit list of members. “We’ve not received a single list so far on the composition of the committees,” an official said. “Officials who usually chair carnival organizing committees are under EC control now. Chief officers of municipal councils of Mormugao and Margao are poll officers, while Mapusa civic body’s chief officer is a returning officer.

Appointing an organizing committee will have to be taken through a policy decision by the respective councils which they cannot do due to the code of conduct,” an election official said.