PANJIM: After successful campaigning within the parameters of the Model Code of Conduct, the election process has reached the crucial silent period of 48 hours which will culminate with the polling on Sunday. Six candidates are in the fray for the Panjim by-election.
The month-long campaign ended at 5pm on Friday. Polling will begin at 8am on May 19 and culminate at 6pm. Counting of votes will be taken up on May 23. Nearly 22,482 Panjimites are eligible to cast their votes in the by-election.
The peaceful election campaign was marred by an attack on BJP candidate Sidharth Kuncalienker’s vehicle on Thursday midnight. A police complaint has been lodged.
In view of the attack, police have enhanced security ahead of the by-polls. DIG Parmaditya said that additional forces have been deployed for security “Three companies of paramilitary forces, apart from IRB and Goa Police personnel, have been deployed at the 30 polling booths across the constituency spread over 23 premises,” he stated.
Responding to a query on Thursday’s incident, he said that prima facie there is evidence that the incident has occurred and therefore an FIR has been lodged and investigations are in progress.
It is perhaps the first time that such a large number of personnel have been deployed, with the Capital city going to be turned into a fortress on the eve of by-polls. The DIG further said that police have been briefed to ensure free and fair elections with flying squads keeping vigil.
“The border security of the State as well as the constituency has been strengthened to keep a check on transportation of liquor. Sufficient quick response teams have been kept on standby. Security arrangements for the transportation of EVMs have been reviewed and escorts and pilots will be deployed for EVM movement,” he stated.
With 11 checkpoints across the constituency, the DIG said that all security arrangements have been reviewed along with SP North Goa Chandan Choudhary. He further said that the central control room will monitor, coordinate and update the personnel of situations.
The election in Panjim has been necessitated following the demise of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who died on March 17.
The Election Commission of India has prohibited conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicising the result of any exit poll in connection with the by-election in Panjim on Sunday till 6.30pm.
