Digital Goa, Sept 11 – BJP MLA Michael Lobo today opined that constituencies to be reserved for Goa’s Scheduled Tribe community in the Assembly elections can be decided only after the Census provides a clear picture of the state’s ST population. Citing consultations with senior legal experts, including a Supreme Court lawyer, Lobo said determining ST-reserved constituencies without updated population data and proper delimitation could expose the process to legal challenges before the High Court or Supreme Court. While reiterating his support for the ST community’s long-pending demand for political reservation, the Lobo said the prescribed legal process must be followed to ensure that the reservation withstands judicial scrutiny. With the Census exercise in Goa due to begin in December and its main data-gathering phase expected to conclude by January 9, 2027, Lobo said waiting for the updated figures may delay the election by barely a month. On municipal elections, Lobo similarly opined that delimitation and reservation of wards should be based on the latest Census population data. He said the Advocate General should explain this position to the High Court and seek postponement of the polls until the Census exercise is completed.
