PANJIM: Panjim will get its new councillors on Tuesday, when counting of the votes polled for the city corporation elections will be taken up. The results will also decide the future of various politicians, including Panjim MLA Siddharth Kunkolienkar and St Cruz MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate as they attempt to wrest control of the corporation in the run-up to the 2017 Assembly polls.
Counting will begin at 8 am at the Pharmacy College and is expected to be concluded by 10.30 am, when the list of elected candidates of all 30 wards will be declared.
The election, which comes a year before the State Legislative Assembly polls, has turned into a prestigious issue for the BJP. The party has fielded 30 candidates, on its panel – Panjim First – but has been hit hard by rebellion that even Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar could not stem.
Also seeking to take control of the CCP is Monserrate, who has fielded his 30 candidates. Monserrate has already made public his intention of contesting the 2017 Assembly polls from Panjim constituency. Congress has backed 20 candidates and there are 15 other independent candidates in fray.
While Monserrate has displayed confidence of sweeping the polls, winning more than 25 wards, Kunkolienkar has maintained silence. On the other hand, Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, who is heading the Congress panel, said they will win 5 to 6 seats.
Polling held on Sunday recorded a turnout of 74.81 per cent with nearly 23,675 people casting their votes. Women voters were more at 75.22 per cent while men voters stood at 72.36 per cent.
The maximum voting was reported in ward number 17 at 86.22 per cent and minimum in ward number 2 at 63.12 per cent.
Traffic arrangements
In view of the counting of votes for Corporation of the City of Panaji elections scheduled on March 8, at Pharmacy College, Panjim from 8 am onwards, the Panjim Traffic Cell has made special traffic arrangements. The stretch of 18th June Road from Caculo Island to Old Education Department building will be closed for all vehicles from 6 am until counting process is over. The stretch of M G Road from Caculo Island to Don Bosco High School junction will be made two-way for the movement of vehicular traffic till the counting process is over.
Officials and the general public witnessing the counting process should park their vehicles on the service lane along D B Marg from Directorate of Health Services to Kala Academy junction. No vehicles will be allowed to be parked near the counting venue and from Caculo Island to Don Bosco School junction.
