“Voter Roll ‘Manipulation’ Sparks Factional Fight in Candolim: Congress Candidate Cries Foul Over ‘Imported’ Votes”
Candolim: A bitter battle is brewing in Candolim, with Congress by-poll candidate Lourenco Silveira alleging that 75 ‘outsider’ voters have been added to Ward 1’s electoral roll, potentially skewing the March 8 election in favour of his rival. Silveira claims the sudden influx of voters, many shifted from other wards, is a “mala fide” attempt to rig the election and undermine the democratic process.
The controversy has reignited factional tensions within the local Congress, with Silveira’s camp accusing opponents of orchestrating a voter roll ‘scam’ to wrest the seat from the party. “This is a clear case of voter roll fraud, aimed at manipulating the outcome and disenfranchising genuine voters,” Silveira said, threatening legal action if the irregularities aren’t addressed.
The Candolim VP by-poll, necessitated by the death of sitting member Fermino Fernandes, has suddenly become a high-stakes contest, with Silveira’s allegations casting a shadow over the electoral process. The state election commission is under pressure to investigate and ensure a fair vote.






