Panaji, April 9: The proposed by-election for the 21-Ponda Assembly constituency in Goa has been abruptly canceled. The Election Commission issued a notification on Wednesday, completely withdrawing its previous announcement made on March 16, 2026.
This decision comes in compliance with the Bombay High Court’s order on April 8, 2026, which declared the Election Commission’s notification null and void in response to three petitions.
The by-election process was initiated to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of former MLA Ravi Naik on October 15, 2025. The Election Commission had announced the voting date for April 9, but following the High Court’s intervention, the entire process has been canceled.
The Election Commission has instructed the Chief Electoral Officer of Goa to promptly publish this notification in the extraordinary issue of the state government’s gazette and send three copies to the Commission after publication. It has clarified that all actions and steps taken by the returning officer, district electoral officer, and other electoral officials related to the Ponda by-election are also declared null and void.
Currently, no new date for the Ponda by-election has been announced. The Election Commission will determine the next steps in full adherence to the Bombay High Court’s order.
This incident is considered significant in Goa’s political landscape, as the Naik family has had a substantial influence over the Ponda seat for many years. The cancellation of the by-election will also impact the strategies of all political parties involved.
The Chief Electoral Officer of Goa has now been directed to take immediate action in accordance with the High Court’s order and the Election Commission’s new notification.
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S.C.H.
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