PORVORIM: The Mapusa municipal election witnessed a voter turnout of 75.29 percent, up by 7.79 percent from the 2010 polls. The polling was peaceful, barring stray incidents.
Polling began on a slow note in the morning, but the pace picked up as the day progressed. As many as 42 polling stations remained crowded with voters throughout the day. Of the 30,834 eligible voters, 23,215 have cast their votes.
86 candidates, including 34 women, are in the fray for the 20 wards of Mapusa municipality. The counting of votes will begin at 8 am on Tuesday at Peddem sports ground.
Deputy Chief Minister and Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza said he has no doubt that the Mapusa Development Front (MDF) supported by BJP will get more than 15 seats. He also stated that the people of Mapusa have appreciated the developmental work undertaken by him, and it will be reflected in the election results. He added. “The MDV candidates are worthy of becoming councillors, who will work for the betterment of Mapusa town. The MDV leader will be selected by the elected candidates within a day or two.”
85.42% at Bicholim
BICHOLIM: The Bicholim municipal elections recorded a voting percentage of 85.42. Out of 11,971 voters, comprising 6,045 males and 5,926 females, 10,226 voters comprising 5,039 males and 5,187 females exercised their franchise.
Returning Officer Mahadev J Aaraundekar and PI Ninad Deulkar informed that no untoward incidents had been reported, even in the ‘sensitive’ Ward 12, which had a strict police bandobast.
Bicholim Bachao Abhiyaan (BBA) president Naresh Sawal is confident that nine of their candidates will be elected, while the BJP-backed Dicholi Vikas Samiti (DVS) president Vallabh Salkar is confident of winning 10 seats.
86% at Valpoi
VALPOI: The Valpoi municipal elections had a voter turnout of 86.27 percent; Ward 1 had the highest turnout at 93.74 percent, while Ward 6 had the lowest at 76.53 percent, informed Valpoi Returning Officer Dasharath Gawas.
The voting started at 8 am and ended at 5 pm, and at the halfway mark, the voting percentage was 60 percent. No crowd was seen at any station, except the Government Middle School building of Ward 9 at around 12 pm.
Valpoi PI Sanjay Dalvi stated that the elections were held peacefully.
Thirty-two candidates – 9 women and 31 men – are contesting the election from ten wards. The voting percentage for each ward is: Ward 1 – 93.74, Ward 2 – 89.55, Ward 3 – 83.33, Ward 4 – 90.91, Ward 5 – 85.65, Ward 6 – 76.52, Ward 7 – 84.11, Ward 8 – 88.02, Ward 9 – 82-86, Ward 10 – 87.53.
