Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, Nov 27: In a fresh political flashpoint from South Goa, the Margao Congress has accused its opponents of deliberately obstructing its door-to-door Special Summary Revision (SIR) awareness campaign, claiming that attempts were made to prevent party volunteers from educating citizens about their electoral rights and responsibilities.

The campaign, led by Congress Block Convener Savio Coutinho along with members and BLAs, began on Wednesday with visits to households in Azad Nagar. According to the Congress team, residents repeatedly complained that the Booth Level Officer (BLO) had failed to return the acknowledgement copies issued during the electoral roll revision process.

Coutinho said that as similar responses emerged from almost every home, the BLO concerned arrived at the spot to justify the lapse. “He claimed that acknowledgement forms were withheld as residents might misplace them. This reasoning is not only unjustified but highly irresponsible,” Coutinho stated.

He further alleged that through the BLO’s own admission, it became clear that multilayer voter enrolment existed in Part No. 15. Several houses, he said, had been rented out by owners who had moved elsewhere, yet both the previous occupants and the current residents remained enrolled at the same address — a violation acknowledged by the BLO himself.

Demanding accountability, Coutinho questioned whether the Election Commission permits such “multilayer electoral rights” within a single household, especially when it could distort the integrity of the voter list.

Reiterating the Congress’ commitment to safeguarding the democratic process, Coutinho said, “Our aim is to ensure that every eligible voter finds a rightful place on the rolls, and every bogus entry is eliminated. We will pursue every necessary step to achieve this.”

The issue has sparked fresh debate over the transparency of voter roll management in Margao as the revision process continues across the state.