TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The first-ever party based Zilla Panchayat elections witnessed a comparatively higher voter turnout, averaging 66.43%, Wednesday, notching 12% higher turnout than the March 2010 ZP polls. Though there were hardly any serpentine queues witnessed at polling booths, as voters trickled in through the day, the voting percentage was ramped up by over 85 percentage polling at Latambarcem, in Bicholim and other booths across the State which witnessed high turnout.
In the fourth ZP election in the State, out of a total electorate of 7,80,517 voters, 5,18,519 cast their votes. More women (2,67,413) came out to exercise their franchise to vote for the district government than men (2,51,106), reinforcing the voting pattern that has become the norm in recent elections.
Polling in North Goa was four percentage points higher than South Goa. North Goa polled 68.642 percent with 1,31,924 males and 1,35,404 females exercising their franchise, aggregating a total of 2,67,328 votes.
In South Goa which traditionally witnesses higher polling percentage in polls recorded 64.233 percent with 1,19,182 male voters and 1,32,009 female voters casting the ballot. A total of 2,51,191 votes were cast in South Goa at the Wednesday elections. South Goa’s polling percentage plunged due to a down turn in Salcete voters. Perhaps reflecting the mood of the electorate, Salcete which normally witnesses high voting percentages, recorded a dismal little over 55 voting percentage, with Navelim recording the lowest polling average in the State.
The turnout in other Salcete villages hovered between 54 and 56 percent. Colva recorded 55.59 % voting, Velim 54.20% and Benaulim recorded 56.47 % turnout for the ZP polls conducted through ballot papers.
“We have successfully completed the polling. Except for some minor incidents, voting was peaceful,” a pleased State Election Commissioner Dr M Modassir told media. “Polling has gone up from 54% to almost 67% which is a great achievement for all of us. Counting will be on March 20 from 8 am. We should finish by 5 pm,” Dr Modassir said.
