Zuari Nagar, Moti Dongor, Khareband declared vulnerable
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Polling booths in migrant-inhabited areas of Zuari Nagar in Cortalim segment and Moti Dongor and Khareband in Margao have been declared as vulnerable pockets and expenditure sensitive polling stations in South Goa Lok Sabha constituency.
Returning Officer Mihir Vardhan told the media that a total of 12 polling stations have been declared as vulnerable pockets. These are: Vasco (7), Zuari Nagar (2) and three at Margao at Moti Dongor and Khareband.
Similarly, a total of seven polling stations have been declared as expenditure sensitive polling stations at Zuari Nagar and Vasco, besides the two stations at Moti Dongor. A total of 29 polling station at 11 locations spread across the South Goa constituency have also been identified.
Vardhan said authorities have appointed sector officers, who, along with the police, will take confidence-building measures amongst people so that they come out and vote despite threats and intimidation. “As far as expenditure sensitive polling stations are concerned, they will be closely monitored by expenditure teams to ensure that candidates do not lure voters with liquor and money in lieu of votes. We have identified nine polling stations as expenditure sensitive given past history”, he added.
Replying to a question, he said that micro-observers will keep a close watch on 29 critical polling stations, where voters are either absentees or missing and those who have shifted their residences or are dead. “We have to keep a watch on these voters. The micro-observers will be active on the day of polling and will work under the general observer”, he added. These critical polling stations are spread in the Assembly segments of Ponda (2), Mormugao (5), Vasco (7), Cortalim (5), Fatorda (5), Margao (3) and Canacona (2).
