PANJIM: The fear of the COVID-19 pandemic loomed large during the Zilla Panchayat elections that saw just 56.82 per cent voters turn out across 1,187 polling stations on Saturday.

Though polling ended on a peaceful note, with no untoward incidents reported, villagers of Maulingem in Bicholim and Mape-Panchwadi in Shiroda, boycotted the election process as a mark of protest against the State government’s failure towards providing basic amenities to them.

The fate of 200 candidates was sealed in ballot boxes as the polling for 48 ZP constituencies concluded on Saturday. The State election authorities are satisfied with the voter turnout, considering that the polls were held in the midst of the pandemic.

As per information released by the State Election Commission (SEC), 4,49,888 voters exercised their right to vote, which included 2,27,916 males and 2,21,972 females.

The total voter turnout was 56.82 per cent, as compared to 66.43 per cent in 2016, when the last elections were held. North Goa reported 58.43 per cent voting, while in South Goa it was 55 per cent.

Pale constituency in North reported the highest voter turnout of 77.39 per cent, followed by Barcem in South with 75.9 per cent. Raia constituency in South Goa reported the lowest 37.77 per cent voting, while Aldona in North recorded 42.64 per cent voters.

Speaking to media persons, State Election Commissioner Chokha Ram Garg said the Commission is glad that the polling in all 48 ZP constituencies was held successfully and in a well organised peaceful manner.

Polling was conducted following the standard operating procedure (SOP) laid down by the Election Commission of India (ECI), including the use of masks, hand sanitiser, thermal scanning, physical distancing, use of face shields, etc.

Some polling stations, however, complained about non-working thermal guns as well as non-availability of hand sanitisers.

Counting of votes will take place on Monday from 8am across 15 counting centers in North and South Goa.