2017 Goa Assembly Election in single phase on February 04,2017

7-phase polls in UP, 2-phase in Manipur, single phase in Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand; counting on March 11,2017

Election Commission on Wednesday Jan 04,2017 announced poll dates for Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi addressed the media and gave out complete details for the election process. 

Announcements made by the Election Commission on assembly election dates and phases:

• Assemblies expiring on: Goa 18 March, Manipur 18 March, Punjab 18 March, Uttarakhand 26 March, and Uttar Pradesh 27 March.
• Number of constituencies: 619/690 - 133 reserved for Scheduled Castes, 23 for Scheduled Tribes.
• Millions of errors, multiple entries have been removed from the electoral rolls.
• Revised electoral rolls published on: Goa - January 5, Manipur - January 12, Punjab - January 5, Uttarakhand - January 10, and Uttar Pradesh - January 12.
• The Election Commission will distribute photo voters slip to all voters. These have been improved.
• Colourful voter guide will be distributed to all families. This will have details of polling stations, date and time of polling, ID docs that can be used, etc.
• 1.85 Lakh polling stations will be covered. This has increased by 15 per cent.
• There are over 16 crore voters in the 5 states.
• For secrecy, height of the voting compartment has been raised to 30 inches.
• Electronic Voter Machines or EVMs will be used in all states.
• As you know there is a symbol provided at bottom of EVM for 'None Of The Above' or NOTA.
• In certain constituencies there will be Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail or VVPAT.
• The number of constituencies with VVPAT will be increased.
• Election Commission is joining the rank of global leaders in the area of electronic transmission of votes. This is a historic (first) step.
• Electronic transmission of votes done keeping in mind defence personnel.
• Postal votes will be transmitted one-way in certain constituencies.
• Candidates will be required to file a no demand certificate.
• The rules have also been changed. Candidates will have to fix a photograph on nomination paper. They will have to declare that they are citizens of India, not sought foreign citizenship.
• The model code of conduct comes into immediate effect.
• The Election Commission is determined to ensure strict compliance.
• In the last 72 hours there are reports of malpractices, so new SOP has been introduced.
• The Election Commission is discouraging parties from using any environmentally hazardous materials for publicity. We also discourage the use of loudspeakers.
• We will conduct elections in free and fair manner.

Model Code of Conduct comes into effect in 5 states immediately The limit of electoral expenses for individual candidates is Rs 28 Lakh for UP, Punjab and Uttarakhand; Rs 20 Lakh for Manipur and Goa EVMs will be used in all states Ballot paper on EVMs will have photo of candidates

Goa goes to poll on February 04,2017

Goa (Total seats: 40)
Phase	Date of Polling	Constituencies
Phase I	4 February	40

GOA

• Notification - January 11, 2017
• Number of Constituencies - 40
• Last date of nominations - January 18, 2017
• Scrutiny of nominations - January 19, 2017
• Last date for withdrawal of nominations - January 21, 2017.
• Elections will be held on February 04, 2017 - In single phase

POPULATION IN 2011: 0.15 CRORE
ASSEMBLY SEATS: 40
PARTIES IN POWER: BJP, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party
CHIEF MINISTER: Laxmikant Parsekar
OTHER CONTENDERS: Congress, AAP, Goa Suraksha Manch
PARTY-WISE SEATS IN ASSEMBLY POLL 2012(TOTAL SEATS 40)
PARTY                                                 WON                VOTE %
Bharatiya Janata Party                              21                     34.68%
Indian National Congress                          09                     30.78%
Maharashtrawadi Gomantak                     03                      06.72%
Goa Vikas Party                                       02                      03.50%
Independent                                              05                       16.67%
LOK SABHA RESULT 2014 (TOTAL SEATS 2)
PARTY                                      WON                VOTE %
Bharatiya Janata Party          2                              54.12%

ISSUES LIKELY TO DOMINAT
-         One of the issues that has come to the fore in the recent years is the cultural identity of goa. The population level has gone higher as people from other states such as Maharashtra and Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are migrating to the state.
-         Another issue of major concern for the people of the state is the drug trade. The large number of casinos attract lots of illegal drug traders.
-         There have also been talks of addressing the problem of dual nationality faced by goan people. These are some of the big challenges that will have to be tackled by the party that comes to power in Goa in 2017.