PONDA: Independent candidates in Ponda taluka on Sunday expressed hope that silent voting would help them win the ZP polls.
Around 28 candidates contested seven ZP seats in Ponda Taluka. Of these, 11 are Independents while the others belong to BJP, MGP, Congress and AAP.
Independent candidate Gurudas Naik from Kavlem said, “This time there was silent voting and it is difficult to say who will win. Besides political parties, Independents too received good support from the people. This time some senior citizens refrained from casting their vote due to COVID pandemic. However, the youth came out in large number.”
He said, “The youth want a change in the political system and all round development. They must have cast their votes
based on the candidates’ good qualities and not on party lines. I feel that Independent candidates have lot of hopes in these elections.”
Umesh Naik, a Curti resident said, “This time due to COVID and ban on campaigning, many political leaders and supporters did not visit the voters. It cannot be said that political leaders did not influence the voters but we can conclude that election was held in free and fair atmosphere. Though there was COVID scare, there was no much political pressure on the voters to cast their vote for a particular party candidate. Hence, the voters felt free in such an ideal atmosphere. This silent voting could also help the Independent candidates’ prospects.”
