MARGAO: Except for a few untoward incidents in Navelim and Margao Constituencies, Salcete Taluka witnessed a peaceful voting on Monday, wherein a large number of voters were noticed eagerly waiting in a queue to cast their votes.
Fate of 56 candidates contesting in eight constituencies of Salcete Taluka has been decided by the voters, and the result will be known on March 10.
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The enthusiasm of the voters, including youth and senior citizens was clearly notable. But at the same time the slow pace of voting at maximum polling stations resulted in frustrations amongst the voters.
On the other hand, several candidates expressed disappointment with regard to no action from the police authorities and flying squad with regard to alleged distribution of money.
Team Herald visited all the eight constituencies of the Salcete Taluka and witnessed massive response from the voters to exercise their votes. Police presence was also noticed in order to avoid law and order problems.
Voters from Curtorim Constituency, besides Nuvem, Benaulim, Margao, Fatorda, Navelim, Velim complained about the slow process, which led to long queues outside the polling stations.
Speaking to Herald Franky Gomes, a voter said that he was waiting for the last one hour outside the polling station.
Nuvem, Curtorim and even in a few other polling stations senior citizens were noticed struggling to move inside the polling booth, despite ramps. The reason was there were no services available to help those senior citizens in person. Even a pregnant woman was noticed standing in a queue at a polling station at Maina in Curtorim Constituency.
On the other hand, many senior citizens from Salcete expressed their gratitude to Booth Level Officers for the smooth arrangement and assistance offered to them at the polling stations.
Few voters even complained of no water at the polling stations.
Shockingly, in almost all the constituencies of Salcete Taluka one common complaint was heard and that was money being distributed by the opponent and no action from the concerned authorities. The allegations of money power were the topic of the day in all the constituencies.
“Yes, there was a distribution of money. Vote was valued from Rs 1000 to Rs 5000, and even more,” said one of the voters.
At the same time some of the candidates expressed frustrations over the inaction from the part of the flying squad and police officers for not taking timely actions, despite complaints. However, it was also noticed that timely intervention by the police avoided major clashes amongst the supporters of the political parties.
