WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Taleigao panchayat recorded a polling turnout of 68.79 percent on Sunday, with voting conducted in seven wards due to the unopposed election of four candidates. Out of 11,988 eligible voters, 8,246 turned out to cast their ballots.
The polling proceeded smoothly and peacefully, with no reports of untoward incidents. However, a heated exchange occurred between Revenue Minister and Panjim MLA Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Cecille Rodrigues.
Cecille alleged that the elections were not conducted fairly and freely, pointing out that the name and election symbol of Agnelo Da Cunha, contesting from ward number II, were displayed at the table distributing voter slips. "You cannot do this on election day. It is a violation of the election code of conduct," she asserted. Additionally, she raised concerns about tents erected by Monserrate's team being too close to the polling station.
In response, Monserrate stated, "The Opposition panel objected to our tent being too close to the polling station. I informed them that they are free to lodge a complaint if they have any issues."
The elections were held on non-party lines, with 14 candidates contesting for seven wards. Following the withdrawal of nominations, candidates from Ward I, Ward VI, Ward X, and Ward XI, affiliated with the Taleigao Progressive Development Front formed by Monserrate, were elected unopposed.
Direct contests between candidates from Taleigao Progressive Development Front and 'Taleigaokars United', an Opposition panel, were observed in all seven wards. The counting of votes is scheduled for April 29, at the Auditorium Hall, Bal Bhavan, Campal, in Panjim, starting from 8 am onwards. A total of 17 polling booths were available for voters to cast their ballots.
