A complaint has been filed today with Goa’s Chief Electoral Officer against Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for violating the Model Code of Conduct by holding meetings with government officers. A copy of the complaint has been sent to the Chief Election Commissioner of India.
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, Adv. Rodrigues in his complaint has stated that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and some of his Ministers have been blatantly holding meetings with government officials.
Drawing the Chief Electoral Officer’s attention to one such meeting of Police Officials was summoned by the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on 3rdApril at the Secretariat, Adv. Rodrigues has stated 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.
Stating that the election process needs to uphold sanctity and cannot be reduced to a farce while bureaucrats choosing to act as stooges of the politicians in Power, Adv. Rodrigues in his complaint 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 Pramod Sawant and his cabinet colleagues to ensure that the Model Code of Conduct is strictly adhered to.
Seeking immediate action in the matter, Adv. Rodrigues has stated that it is incumbent on the Election Commission to ensure that elections are absolutely free and fair and that the Model Code of Conduct is not violated in any way whatsoever.
Adv. Rodrigues in his complaint has called upon the Chief Electoral Officer to call for a report and after examining the same, take appropriate action against Chief Minister Pramod Sawant by registering an F.I.R against him for violating the Model Code of Conduct.
