PANJIM: The polling percentage in Assembly elections on Monday was high but lower than the previous elections. Though the electorate came out in large numbers to show the power of their vote, it fell short of the percentage that had been registered in 2017. There are hopes that it will touch the previous election figure once the postal ballots are counted.
Yet, 78.94% voting is pretty high compared to the footfall in rest of the country.
Former Professor of Rachol Seminary Fr Mousinho Athaide said it is difficult to say that the high voter turnout was a vote for a change. “There is no difference in the present dispensation and the dispensation that will come after the results are declared. Those who claim to be secular parties have now members from the saffron party,” he said.
He added, “I think for voters the elections are like a festival, once every five years and a right to vote. It’s also will be a good thing if no party gets absolute majority as they then tend to become more powerful,” he said.
Political and social activist Juino D’ Souza said that apart from the fact that there are numerous political parties in the fray, the main reason for the voter turnout could be a sign of angst among the electorate to vote for a change to save Goa.
“The voter wants a new rejuvenated Goa free from corruption and scams. The young voters want unemployment, which is a huge challenge, to end,” he said.
In this election political migration gathered momentum and many aspirants were seen switching political parties with their so called band of supporters.
Management consultant and Professor Adrian D’Cunha said that for the first time the large number of hoardings, banners and the amount of advertisement blitzkrieg in media trying to communicate their achievements and promises caused enthusiasm among voters, who came out in large numbers on polling day.
“The voter turnout was not because of any issues but only advertisement blitzkrieg and the presence of star campaigners,” said D’Cunha.
While, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are upbeat and both parties claim they will form the next government on their own strength, the other parties namely AAP, TMC-MGP combine, NCP-SS and Revolutionary Goans also claim they will poll substantial votes and have a stake in government formation.
