Bye Election to Ward No. I of Chicalim Panchayat Cancelled Following Court Order
Model Code of Conduct Lifted with Immediate Effect
Panaji, April 29, 2025: The Goa State Election Commission has officially cancelled the bye election process for Ward No. I of Village Panchayat Chicalim in Mormugao taluka, which was earlier scheduled for May 11, 2025. The cancellation comes in light of a judgment delivered by the Hon’ble District Court, South Goa at Margao, restoring the panch membership of Ms. Maria Mascarenhas.
The Directorate of Panchayats, Panaji-Goa, had issued a public notice on February 19, 2025 (Vide No. 19/DP/Bye-Elec/2025/2323) under Rule 10(1) of the Goa Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat (Election Procedure) Rules, 1996, announcing the bye election for the vacant seat in Ward No. I of the Chicalim Panchayat.
Subsequently, the State Election Commission issued the formal notification and schedule for the bye election on April 16, 2025. However, only a single nomination was received by the deadline for filing nominations.
In a significant turn of events, the District Court in CRA.2/2025 – Maria Mascarenhas V/s Manuel Antonio Dias, passed a judgment on April 25, 2025, quashing and setting aside the disqualification order against Ms. Mascarenhas. The said order was earlier issued by the Block Development Officer, Mormugao, on January 2, 2025.
Following the court’s verdict, the Department of Panchayati Raj and Community Development, Government of Goa, through order No. 19/DP/Bye-Elec/2025/3114 dated April 29, 2025, annulled the bye election process. The order declared the entire election process, up to the stage of the order, as invalid.
Acting upon this development and in exercise of its constitutional powers under Article 243K and Section 237 of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, the Goa State Election Commission officially declared the bye election process as cancelled.
Additionally, the Model Code of Conduct, which had been in effect in the concerned ward since April 16, 2025, has now been withdrawn with immediate effect.
This development marks a significant legal and administrative resolution, reinstating the elected status of Ms. Maria Mascarenhas and ensuring adherence to due process in local self-governance.
