CM Pramod Sawant today said Quepem, Sanguem, Priol and Nuvem constituencies are likely to be notified as Scheduled Tribe (ST) reserved constituencies by the first or second week of December 2026. Sawant said the State Election Commission had sent a report identifying the four constituencies to the Central Election Commission after the latter sought the details. He said the Central commission would next ask the State commission to conduct a public hearing with one month’s notice. The hearing is tentatively expected by November 30, followed by a notification reserving the four seats. Responding to ST community leaders who have warned of intensifying protests in the coming week, Sawant said there was no need to repeatedly speak of protests and strikes. “The Election Commission is an independent, autonomous body. We cannot interfere in its working,” he said. Sawant reiterated that the government wanted political reservation for the ST community and was following up on the matter.
