It is surprising that Dominic Savio Fernandes has decided to contest the ensuing Panaji Assembly by-election scheduled for next month.
He may not be aware that the Election Commission of India by an order dated 7th January 2013 disqualified him for three years from contesting any election to the Legislative assembly or Parliament. That disqualification was notified in the Goa Government Official Gazette Series II No 48 dated 28 th February 2013. Dominic Savio Fernandes was disqualified under Section 10A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951for having failed to lodge the account of his election expenses at the 2012 General Elections to the Goa Legislative Assembly which he had contested from Panaji constituency on Janata Dal (U) ticket and polled 172 votes. Incidentally of the five candidates who had contested that 2012 Assembly election from Panaji Constituency, Dominic Savio Fernandes was the wealthiest with declared assets of Rs 8, 99, 98, 377 and was the only candidate with no liabilities. Last month he was one of the four who had applied for the Congress party ticket for this ensuing Panaji by-election and has yesterday announced his decision to contest as an Independent. But with the disqualification ban imposed by the Election Commission continuing till 7th January 2016, Dominic Savio Fernandes would have to wait for the 2017 General Elections to have another go at contesting from Panaji constituency. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
