I think in a way, it is good as there is more peace around. The
campaigning at times can get noisy and loud which can be a disturbance for the
common people. Also, there have been less traffic jams this time due to the
campaigning restrictions.
– Varun Carvalho, Singer, Margao
No I don’t miss it.. Ideally The election campaigning festivities is
not what should makes the vote count. The work carried out and the interactions
with the people by the candidate hold more weight than the campaigning drama.
– Ryan Rodrigues, Entrepreneur, Margao
Elections can’t always be festive because serious issues are at stake.
While outdoor campaigns and meeting are restricted, there is a lot of door to
door canvassing, tele-calling etc. Add to that, there are the comparatively
newer parties like AAP & TMC in the fray with their leaders coming to Goa.
The contest has become so much more intense. I’m enjoying the new options put
forward rather than the old election melas.
Joanne da Cunha, Actress, Panjim
Yes I do miss the festive atmosphere but I don’t have complains about
the restrictions. We have to respect the authorities, at this point.
– Milroy Goes, Film maker Cuncolim
As a first-time voter this is the first
state election I’m paying close attention to. That being said, I don’t think
the Covid restrictions had any dampening effect on campaigning. We had parties
finding other ways to reach voters be it social media posts and advertisements
or the phone calls most of us have received. And as soon as the restriction for
rallies was removed they went ahead full speed. With more political parties
added to the mix this time the atmosphere has definitely changed and Covid had
nothing to do with it.
– Megan Amanda Rodrigues, Student, Anjuna
I can only hear TMC’s Navi Sakaal slogan. While it’s a catchy tune,
it’s like an alarm ringing through the day. Then, it’s followed by BJP and
‘development’. This is then followed by Congress and some screechy inaudible
sounds of Shiv Sena. So in all its a cacophonous tribe. But it’s not my ear
that is voting, thankfully.
– Priya George, Housewife, Aldona
Truthfully, always annoyed at the noise of high pitch songs blaring
Round the clock in the neighbourhood. Choosing your representative in the
assembly need not be about festivity, more so in times such as these. The
elections are about selecting the right candidate to be sent to look after the
interest of the community. In recent times, across the country, violation of
public health norms have witnessed severe casualty. It is good that in Goa, the
campaign exhibits some sense of restriction. I prefer nice and quite atmosphere
and seriously detest noise and pollution. I, for one welcome the relatively
peaceful campaigning going on.
– Dr. Meenacshi Martins, Psychiatrist, Salvador do Mundo
I’m hoping these restrictions are permanently imposed for future
elections too. My building is surrounded by dogs that bark incessantly,
election campaigns only add to the pack.
– Olin D Cruz, Musician, Sangolda
The restrictions are a blessing in disguise. The usual campaigning and
loud speakers blasting were a nuisance. I vote for the candidate not for a
person shouting on the street. It’s a futile exercise. I believe this is the
way campaigning should be. Meet the voters individually or in small groups and
stop inconveniencing others with unnecessary noise pollution.
– Dr Lloyd de Souza, Physician, Calangute
No, I believe we should support the authorities during the Pandemic,
since Covid-19 is no joke. In our digital age, I strongly believe that we are
all actively involved in campaigns on social media. It is the time to change
the way we do things in the digital age. Let’s be safe at home..lets kill this
virus by not spreading it.
– Julius Mesquita, Tiatrist, Murdi-Cansaulim
I did not find anything amiss from the normal. I can still hear the
blaring commentaries of campaigners even today. But the new irritant in this
election was the barrage of personal calls and WhatsApp messages on your phone.
If you are an educated voter you have made up your mind and no amount of
messages will change that for you.
– Savia Veigas, Writer, Carmona
The restrictions have been the best thing that has
happened. It’s like the good old days of the late 60’s and 70s. Everything looks
so civilised, not much noise and chaos and those coming to the door to door due
to restrictions on numbers campaigning is also more disciplined and for the
first time the voters have time to converse with the politicians and vice
versa. Hopefully the election commission will make this type of campaigning
permanent.
– Marius Fernandes, Festival man of Goa, Pompurba
