SATURDAY, MAY 04, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The general panchayat elections held across the State recorded an overall 78.70 per cent voter turnout on Wednesday.
As many as 6,26,496 voters out of total of 7,96,070 electorate exercised their franchise thereby sealing the fate of 5,038 candidates.
It is pertinent to note that in all 64 candidates have already been declared elected unopposed.
Polling was held in 1,454 wards of 186 village panchayats. Of the 6,26,496 voters who voted, 2,99,707 were males and 3,26,788 were females. Also village panchayats from North Goa district recorded 81.45 per cent polling and 76.13 per cent voting was reported in village panchayats of South Goa district.
The polling in Ward 9 of Calangute Village Panchayat was stopped due to mismatch of symbols and name of the candidates. The State Election Commission (SEC) has now ordered repoll on Thursday and has declared a public holiday for the eligible voters from the ward.
Navelim Village Panchayat from Bicholim taluka witnessed highest 93.33 per cent while, Sarzora Village Panchayat from Salcete taluka registered lowest voting percentage of 68.33. Similarly, Sattari taluka recorded maximum 89.30 per cent polling and lowest polling 68.33 per cent was recorded in Salcete taluka.
During the 2017 general panchayat election, 80 per cent polling was recorded.
Barring stray incidents polling passed off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported, informed SEC Secretary Brijesh Manerkar.
In the first two hours, about 19 per cent polling was recorded in the State while, the voter turnout increased to 40 per cent by noon and 55 per cent by 2 pm.
Long queues of voters were seen at many polling booths and the election officials expected that the percentage of voting would touch 80 per cent.
At many places, the voters appeared enthused and came out to cast their vote for a better village tomorrow.
They said water, electricity and garbage menace need to be addressed on war footing.
Echoing similar views many candidates said that they have entered the fray to provide better amenities to the people.
Though panchayat elections in the State are not fought on party lines, the political heavyweights had fielded and supported candidates of their choice.
Responding to a request made by a visually impaired person at Vasco for a Braille voting paper, Manerkar said due to paucity of time it could not be arranged but Braille paper would be provided in the next elections. As per the election rules, visually impaired persons are allowed to vote with the assistance of a companion, he said adding that all polling stations were made disabled-friendly with ramps and wheelchairs.
