Daijiworld Media Network - Porvorim

Porvorim, Jan 16: Opposition MLAs in the Goa Assembly strongly criticized Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during a calling attention motion on Thursday, opposing the government’s proposal to link death registration with the automatic deletion of the deceased from electoral rolls.

The motion was initiated by Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, but opposition members raised concerns over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. They highlighted that nearly 1 lakh voters have already been deleted in Goa — roughly the size of an entire assembly constituency — and demanded an extension of time for voters to challenge deletions.

The CM assured he would request the Election Commission of India (ECI) for an extension. St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar stressed the need to verify unmapped voters, citing cases like those working on cruise liners or families temporarily away. He warned that 20–30% deletions could disproportionately affect Goans if no extension is provided.

Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said his constituency alone saw 4,400 deletions, despite winning by 1,500 votes. He criticized the government’s plan for permanent automated deletion between death registration and electoral rolls, arguing that families would receive no prior notice and voters would bear the burden of proving eligibility.

Sardesai added, “SIR broke families; the husband is recorded, the wife is not. Now the right to vote will become a bureaucratic privilege.” Opposition leader Yuri Alemao also questioned the inconsistent application of documentation requirements by BLOs and the lack of clarity for citizens despite heavy government spending on publicity.

Responding, CM Sawant defended the SIR, saying its purpose is to ensure ‘one citizen, one vote’, remove duplicate or non-citizen voters, and update electoral rolls accurately. He noted, “Those who died, their names remained for up to 20 years in the rolls. Some people have up to five voter cards.”

The debate underscored growing tensions over voter roll accuracy, citizen rights, and administrative processes in the state ahead of upcoming elections.