log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY JUNE 17, 2026 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 360 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Census shadow fuels talk of early assembly polls in Goa EXPECTED TO CREATE HEAVY DEMAND ON GOVT EMPLOYEES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Political activity is gathering pace in Goa amid growing speculation that the next Assembly elections, due by February 2027, could be advanced by a month or two to avoid clashing with the nationwide Census exercise scheduled around the same period. Sources said both the BJP and Congress have begun strengthening their organisational networks and election preparedness in anticipation of a possible early poll announcement, although no decision has been taken by the Election Commission of India. While BJP senior leaders are making rounds in Delhi, Congress is set to announce the new PCC, election committees, shortly. HOW CENSUS COULD AFFECT ASSEMBLY POLLS Will require around 3,000 enumerators, Assembly polls need about 10,000 personnel Conducting both exercises at the same time could overstretch officials, teachers, govt staff involved in fieldwork Census is nationwide exercise, polls may need to be rescheduled if timelines overlap Simultaneous Census work could affect polling arrangements, training, logistics, poll management Experts feel polls should ideally be held one to two months before Census Any decision to alter election dates rests with According to sources, logistical considerations linked to the Census are driving the discussions. The nationwide Census process is being held in two phases. While the house-listing exercise has already been completed in Goa, the population enumeration phase, which will also include caste-based data collection, is scheduled for February 2027. The Census operation in Goa is expected to require around 3,000 enumerators, including government officials and teachers, while Assembly elections would need Election Commission BJP, CONG GET READY BJP strengthening poll machinery; senior leaders holding meetings in Delhi, reviewing election strategy Congress reorganising party structure; set to announce new PCC team and election committees soon nearly 10,000 personnel for polling and related duties. “Managing both exercises simultaneously will place enormous pressure on the administration. Elections should ideally be held a month or two before the Census begins,” sources said. Sources in the Directorate of Census Operations (DCO) said there would be no change in the Census schedule as it is a nationwide exercise being carried out uniformly across the country. “If elections are due during that period, they may have to be rescheduled. However, the final decision rests with the Election Commission,” sources added. Political circles in Goa are already discussing the possibility of advancing the polls to December 2026. BJP leaders are understood to have informally favoured an earlier election to ensure that administrative machinery remains available for Census duties. “We also need to ensure that the Model Code of >Continued on P9 State eyes Guinness record with mass Yoga day event ATTENDANCE MANDATORY FOR GOVT EMPLOYEES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa government has made participation in the International Day of Yoga celebrations compulsory for government employees, teachers, and students as the State prepares to attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous yoga event. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, addressing a press conference at Mantralaya on Tuesday, said more than 1,000 venues have been earmarked across Goa for the June 21 event, where physical participation will be recorded and linked to the world record attempt. “Last year, we had more than 1,000 venues for people to participate in yoga sessions. This year too it is the same. All government servants, teachers, and students are mandatorily required to attend. The attendance certificate will be generated and Education director puts schools, teachers, students on notice PANAJI: The Directorate of Education (DoE) has made participation in the International Yoga Day programme on June 21 mandatory for all students, teaching staff and non-teaching staff of government and government-aided schools across Goa. In a circular issued, Director Education Shailesh Zingade directed all schools to ensure compulsory participation in the observance of International Yoga Day, which this year falls on a Sunday. The circular stated that while students, teachers and non-teaching staff have been given the liberty to attend Yoga Day functions at any convenient venue, their participation will >Continued on P9 attendees will have to submit it to their respective Heads of Departments,” Sawant said. He further said that participants need not report to their institutions on a Sunday and can instead participate at any designated venue nearest to them. The government is targeting the participation of around two lakh people. Sawant explained the initiative was not merely for setting a record but also for encouraging people to adopt yoga as a regular practice. “Taking part for one day will also generate interest among people to continue >Continued on P9
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