TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA/MAYEM: Municipal elections are not fought on party lines but a fierce battle between candidates backed by rival political parties is on cards, as the municipal councils of Ponda and Sanquelim go to polls on Sunday.
At least 15,526 voters from Ponda and 7,148 voters from Sanquelim will exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 60 candidates contesting the 14-ward Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) polls and 53 candidates vying for 11 wards in the Sanquelim Municipal Council (SMC) polls.
In Ponda, the BJP-MGP combined has supported 14 candidates of the Ponda Citizens Committee (PCC), while the Congress-backed Ponda Vikas Samiti has fielded 13 candidates. Both groups, however, have officially denied affiliation to any political party. The PMC had 13 seats during the previous term and this year, the State government decided to increase the number of wards to 14.
Among the 14 wards, all eyes are on the contest in Ward 4, where Roy Naik, son of former chief minister Ravi Naik, is contesting against Ravi’s rival, Venkatesh Naik. The tussle between the PCC and the PVS could well benefit some independent candidates.
Returning Officer Johnson Fernandes told Herald that there are 23 election booths all across the municipality.
“Voting will start at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm,” Fernandes said.
Elaborate security arrangements have been set up for the PMC, with the deputation of four police sub inspectors, seven assistant sub Inspectors, 18 head constables, 87 constables, 29 lady police constables and 14 home guards at all 23 booths to ensure that voting is free and fair.
In Sanquelim, 7148 voters (3587 male and 3561 female) will exercise their franchise in 11 polling stations to decide the fate of 53 candidates contesting the SMC polls.
“We have made an elaborate arrangement by deploying about 55 officials to look after all 11 booths to carry out the election process in a free, fair and peaceful manner,” said Presiding Officer and Bicholim Deputy Collector Narayan Gad, while talking to local reporters.
Sanquelim will also witness candidates fielded by panels backed by rival political parties. Though SMC was ruled by candidates affiliated to the Congress since the past five years, the BJP is keen to take control of the SMC, especially since it is governing the state.
This time, only four councillors from the outgoing SMC will contest the elections and they are former chairperson Riyaz Khan, Laxmanrao Desai, Pooja Dangi and Aarti Naik.
Meanwhile, the Returning Officer for the SMC polls has informed that commercial establishments within 100 metres of Polling Station 7 at Progress High School, Polling Station 4 at Multipurpose Hall and Polling Station 6 at Laxmibai G. Sanzgiri Memorial New Wada, are required to be closed during the polling time to ensure free and fair poll.
