MARGAO: Stating that the prescribed authority of the central government, under the Indian Citizenship Act, has to first determine acquisition or loss of citizenship before the Election Commission of India undertakes any deletion of names, the Goa Forward Party (GFP) demanded with the central government to provide voting rights for the Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) with an executive order.
Addressing the media, GFP president Prabhakar Timble said, “We have taken the legal advice on the issue. The Election Commission has no right to delete the names directly, without sending notices. There can be no mass deletion of names from the electoral rolls unless the notices on deletion are served on the persons by the authority concerned.”
“The prescribed authority of the central government under the Indian Citizenship Act has to first determine acquisition or loss of citizenship before the Election Commission of India takes any adverse action in the matter,’’ he added.
He asked if a green card holder in USA can become the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and Indian businessmen are allowed to establish and administer projects in foreign countries, what is the harm if overseas Indians are allowed to vote.
The bar or prohibition could be to contest elections and occupy public offices, he said.
Timble also underlined the failures of the BJP government which promised to establish seafarers’ cell in Goa for the welfare of the 20,000-odd seafarers.
“We demand immediate setting up of seafarers cell to address the grievances of the seafarers as well as for better co-ordination with shipping companies to exploit more job opportunities,”he added.
Frank Viegas, a co-founder of Goa Seamen’s Association and member of the GFP said that the remittances from the seamen community sustain the Goan economy.
He and seaman Ronnie Cardozo explained how difficult it was for them to read the port-mortem report after his brother’s death which is in Greek language.
Edwin (Cipru) Cardoz, Navelim ZP, member questioned the BJP over its promise of opening South Goa passport office.
“Why it did not happen despite the BJP ruling at the Centre and two ministers from the state in the cabinet,’’ he asked and demanded to do it at the earliest for the ease of the South Goa people.