SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The finale of over a fortnight-long battle to win in 186 panchayats is set for Wednesday, with 5,038 candidates in the fray to gain power of the three-tier system. The poll-bound districts have dispatched teams to 1,566 polling booths with the election materials amidst tight police security.
On Monday, the election process reached the crucial silent period of 48 hours. The district administration has issued Section 144 of CrPC for the poll-bound panchayats, wherein the assembly of five or more persons (including contesting candidates and workers) is deemed unlawful. The Section will remain in force till polling process ends.
The polling across 1,566 booths, located at 1,049 locations will be held from 8 am to 5 pm, with the final hour that is 4 pm to 5 pm being dedicated to Covid-19 patients.
The State government has declared public holiday on Wednesday in view of the elections.
The voting will be held through ballot papers.
The indelible ink mark will be put on the left forefinger of every voter. The voters will have to produce an ID document at the polling station to cast their vote.
A total 64 candidates are already declared elected unopposed. Nearly eight lakh voters will exercise their franchise to elect new panchayat bodies in 186 villages.
The Bardez taluka with 33 village panchayats is left with maximum 995 candidates, followed by 863 in Salcete, which also got 33 panchayats.
There are 601 contesting candidates in Ponda, 583 candidates in Tiswadi, 450 in Pernem, 380 in Bicholim, 259 in Sattari and 240 in Quepem.
There are 219 candidates in Mormugao, 169 in Canacona, 156 in Sanguem and 123 in Dharbandora.
North Goa, comprising 97 panchayats, has a maximum 742 wards, whereas in the South elections will take place for 722 wards in 89 panchayats.
Bardez taluka with 266 wards has the highest number of 1,56,303 eligible voters, while the Dharbandora has the lowest number of voters at 20,095 spread in 40 wards.
Nearly 10,700 polling officers will be manning the voting process under tight police security. The counting of votes will take place on August 12.
