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{{Infobox government agency
| nativename_a =
| logo =
| logo_width =
| logo_caption =
| formed = 1994<ref name="web.archive.org">{{cite web | url=https://sec.goa.gov.in/history-of-sec/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801213306/https://sec.goa.gov.in/history-of-sec/ | archive-date=2022-08-01 | title=History of SEC – Goa State Election Commission }}</ref>
| jurisdiction = [[Government of Goa]]
| headquarters = Opposite Joggers' Park, Altinho, [[Panaji]], [[Goa]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sec.goa.gov.in/contact-us/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801213728/https://sec.goa.gov.in/contact-us/ | archive-date=2022-08-01 | title=Contact Us – Goa State Election Commission }}</ref>
| coordinates =
| chief1_position = State Election Commissioner
| chief1_name = W. V. Ramanamurthy, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]], ([[Retired|Retd.]])
| chief2_name = Brijesh Manerkar
| chief2_position = Secretary, State Election Commissioner
| chief3_name =
| chief3_position =
| website = {{URL|sec.goa.gov.in/|Official Website}}
| name = Goa State Election Commission
| seal =
| employees =
| budget =
| parent_department =
| type = [[Constitution of India|Constitutional Body]]
}}
{{Politics of India}}
{{Elections}}

'''Goa State Election Commission''' is an [[Autonomy|autonomous]] and [[statutory]] body constituted in [[India]]n state of [[Goa]] for ensuring that elections are conducted in free, fair and unbiased way. [[Constitution of India]] with provisions as per Article 243K and 243 ZA and Article 324 ensures creation and safeguarding of the powers of State Election Commissions. Goa State Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections for [[Municipal governance in India|Urban Local Bodies]] like [[Municipality|Municipalities]], [[Municipal corporation (India)|Municipal Corporations]], [[Panchayati raj|Panchayat]]s and any other specified by [[Election Commission of India]]. Goa State Election Commissioner is appointed by [[Governor (India)|Governor]] of Goa.

== History ==
The State Election Commission of Goa was constituted pursuant to the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the [[Constitution of India]], by amending the Goa Municipalities Act, 1969 and the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1993.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://goaprintingpress.gov.in/downloads/9495/9495-1-SI-OG.pdf |title=Official Gazette - Government of Goa |website=goaprintingpress.gov.in |access-date=31 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801213030/https://goaprintingpress.gov.in/downloads/9495/9495-1-SI-OG.pdf |archive-date=1 August 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref> To ensure the autonomy of the position, the Goa state election commissioner cannot be removed from office except on the grounds and manner specified for [[judge]] of [[High courts of India|High Court]]. Geeta Sagar, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] served as the first State Election Commissioner.<ref name="web.archive.org">{{cite web | url=https://sec.goa.gov.in/history-of-sec/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801213306/https://sec.goa.gov.in/history-of-sec/ | archive-date=2022-08-01 | title=History of SEC – Goa State Election Commission }}</ref>

==List of State Election Commissioners==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="font-size: 100%"
! scope="col" |S.No.
! scope="col" |Name
! scope="col" |From
! scope="col" |To
|-
| 1||Geeta Sagar, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]||April 1, 1995||August 18, 1995
|-
| 2||B.S. Subanna||October 26, 1995||August 14, 1997
|-
| 3||S. D. Sadhale||September 11, 1997||April 28, 2004
|-
| 4||P. M. Borkar||July 1, 2004|| June 30, 2006
|-
|5||Dr. M. Modassir, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]], ([[Retired|Retd.]])||August 1, 2010 || January 13, 2017
|-
|6||R. K. Srivastava, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]], ([[Retired|Retd.]])||January 14, 2017||October 30, 2020
|-
|7||Chokha Ram Garg, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]||November 3, 2020 ||March 12, 2021||
|-
|8|| W. V. Ramanamurthy, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]], ([[Retired|Retd.]])||March 18, 2021 || till date
|-
|}

== Powers and Responsibilities ==

Goa States Election Commissioner is responsible for the following:<ref name="sec ref1">{{cite news |title=WHAT IS ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA (ECI)? |url=https://www.business-standard.com/about/what-is-election-commission-of-india#collapse |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=Business Standard India}}</ref><ref name="sec ref7">{{cite news |title=Election Commission directs all state electoral officers to immediately redress all pending voter applications |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/election-commission-directs-state-electoral-officers-immediately-redress-pending-voter-applications-1503026387.html |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=The Statesman |date=23 November 2021}}</ref>

* Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for Municipal Corporations in State.
* Conducting elections for Municipal Corporations in State.
* Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.
* Conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.<ref name="gsec ref3">{{cite news |title=Coronavirus: October 18 polls to 11 Goa municipal bodies postponed |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/news/national/coronavirus-october-18-polls-to-11-goa-municipal-bodies-postponed-640043 |access-date=9 December 2021 |publisher=www.thehansindia.com |date=17 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="gsec ref6">{{cite news |title=Garg appointed as commissioner of Goa State election commission |url=https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/%EF%BB%BFgarg-appointed-as-commissioner-of-goa-state-election-commission/61313.html |access-date=9 December 2021 |publisher=The Goan EveryDay |date=7 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
* Laying guidelines for persons eligible to contest in elections for Municipal Corporations in State.
* Conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.
* Model code of conduct are following in elections for local bodies.
* Updating Electoral rolls with new additions.<ref name="gsec ref7">{{cite news |title=Drive to enroll new, left out voters today {{!}} Goa News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/drive-to-enroll-new-left-out-voters-today/articleshow/87939223.cms |access-date=9 December 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=27 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
* Updating Electoral rolls with removals, if any.
* Declaration of results of elections held for Municipal Corporations in State.
* Declaration of results of elections held for Municipal panchayats in State.
* Ordering repoll if needed.

== Composition ==

Goa State Election Commission is a one-man commission consisting of Chief Election Commissioner.<ref name="sec ref3">{{cite news |title=State election panels: Independent of central EC, with similar powers |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/state-election-panels-independent-of-central-ec-with-similar-powers-5132220/ |access-date=6 December 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=12 April 2018 |language=en}}</ref> State Election Commissioners are independent persons not holding position or office in any Central or State Government organisations.<ref name="sec ref5">{{cite news |title=State election commissioners should be independent, says SC |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/state-election-commissioners-should-be-independent-says-sc/cid/1809411 |publisher=www.telegraphindia.com |date=13 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="gsec ref5">{{cite news |title=Pulling up Goa govt, Supreme Court says govt officials can't be appointed SECs |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-slams-goa-govt-independence-of-election-commission-cant-be-compromised-in-a-democracy-7224992/ |access-date=9 December 2021 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=12 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

Shree W V Ramanamurthy, Retd I.A.S., is the Chief Election Commissioner of Goa.<ref name="gse ref4">{{cite web |title=Goa State Election Commission |url=https://sec.goa.gov.in/ |website=goa.gov.in |access-date=9 December 2021 |archive-date=9 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209065234/https://sec.goa.gov.in/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> His period of service will be 5 years or attaining an age of 65 years whichever is earlier.

== Constitutional Requirements ==

Goa State Election Commission was formed after amendment of Constitution with 73rd and 74th declaration.<ref name="sec ref4">{{cite news |title=India State Election - Find information of all State elections in India |url=https://www.elections.in/state-elections.html |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=www.elections.in}}</ref> State Election Commissions were formed as per Article 243K of the Constitution, similar to setting up of Election commission of India as per Article 324.<ref name="sec ref3" />

== See also ==

[[Election Commission of India]].

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://sec.goa.gov.in/ Official Website]{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Government of Goa]]
[[Category:Elections in Goa]]
[[Category:State agencies of Goa]]
[[Category:State election commissioners of India]]

Goa State Election Commission - Revision history

SoniaBlankinship at 14:00, 25 January 2026