Worried citizens didn’t hold back as they questioned election officials about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Goa. Many people expressed growing anxiety over reports of voter names being unexpectedly deleted.
The concerns surfaced during an awareness workshop hosted by the Catholic Association of India (CAG) in collaboration with the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office. The session, held at the Clergy Home complex in Margao, saw an election team led by Sidharth Shanke face a barrage of questions from attendees eager to protect their voting rights.
South Goa Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) Ana Rita Paes and Siddharth Shahane, Booth Level Officer from the Fatorda constituency, walked participants through the SIR process step by step. They offered practical tips on accurately filling out SIR forms, pointed out common mistakes, and explained how errors can be corrected to ensure that voter details are properly updated.
This was not CAG’s first attempt to educate the public—just days earlier, a similar session had been conducted in Panjim for North Goa members.
CAG President Cyril Fernandes said the organisation had reached out to CEO Sanjay Goel, IAS, specifically asking for guidance to help its members—and the wider Catholic community—navigate the SIR procedure. “People are nervous, and they want to make sure their names aren’t removed unfairly,” he said.
The Margao workshop was coordinated and moderated by CAG Vice-President (South Goa) Melwyn Fernandes. Representatives from every parish in Salcete attended, turning the event into a lively, engaging forum where participants freely voiced their doubts.
By the end of the session, most concerns had been thoroughly addressed, offering some reassurance to a community determined to safeguard its presence on Goa’s voter rolls.
