Complaint filed against Goa CM for violating election code

PANAJI: A complaint has been filed before Goa’s chief electoral officer (CEO) against chief minister Pramod Sawant for violating the model code of conduct by holding meetings with government officers.
The complainant Aires Rodrigues has sought that the flying squads of the election commission be directed to maintain a strict vigil at the offices and residences of chief minister and his cabinet colleagues to ensure that the model code of conduct is strictly adhered to.
He has called upon the CEO to call for a report and after examining the same, take appropriate action.
A copy of the complaint has been sent to the chief election commissioner (CEC) of India, he said.
Pointing out that the 2019 model code of conduct strictly prohibits ministers from having any official discussions with officers while the code is in force, he in his complaint has stated that Sawant and some of his ministers have been blatantly holding meetings with government officials.
On April 3, Sawant summoned a meeting at secretariat. As per the model code of conduct the only exceptions when officials could be summoned was if there was a failure of law and order or occurrence of a natural calamity or any such emergency, he said.
Seeking immediate action in the matter, Rodrigues has stated that it is incumbent on the election commission to ensure that elections are free and fair and that the model code of conduct is not violated in any way whatsoever.