Summary:
‘Poll code will affect entire state’PANAJI: The state government has told the Election Commission (EC) that the by-election and Lok Sabha polls should be held together, stating that development work would be hampered if the code of conduct was declared twice. EC officials had visited Goa to take stock of election preparedness.A source told TOI that the model code of conduct enforced twice would mean the administration would come to a halt for nearly five months. If the bypoll was to be held earlier, the BJP would have been at a disadvantage. Shirodkar has since quit the post saying he needed time to concentrate in the constituency for the bypoll.An official said that since Mandrem and Shiroda are in difference districts, the model code of conduct would affect the entire state. They would have had to work very hard to win the two seats..