Team Herald
PANJIM: The fate of 5,223 candidates contesting in 1450 wards across 186 village panchayats was sealed on Sunday. Counting will take place on June 13 (Tuesday) at 13 centres across the state.
According to the State Election Commission, the final turnout was recorded at 80.33%. The total voter count was 7,49,685. SEC had recorded 81 per cent of polling in 2012 panchayat polls.
“The weather remained favourable throughout the day which resulted in a good voters turnout,” R K Srivastava, Commissioner of SEC said.
Sattari (89.65%) and Bicholim (90.60%) talukas recorded the highest polling in the state.
Ballot boxes were in the custody of the Returning Officers in the respective talukas under proper security measures.
A total of 55 candidates in the same number of wards have been declared unopposed while in one ward, the poll was postponed due to the death of candidate.
Srivastava said 6,500 government staffers were deployed for the polling process while 2,500 police personnel were pressed into service all over Goa.
The elections to another 15 disputed wards from 10 panchayats will be held on July 1. This was decided after they were caught up in litigation over reservation and delimitation whereas the counting will be taken up on July 2.
SEC said that one of the wards at Morlem village panchayat where nomination was not received will go for bypolls.
Counting process: Counting will begin on June 13 from 8am in 13 centres all over state. A total of 21 counting halls have been prepared for the process. There will be 293 tables for counting the votes. A total of 1,500 government staffers have been deployed for the purpose. Twenty-one counting observers have been appointed to supervise the counting process.
SEC said candidates will be allowed to keep counting agent(s) on each counting table. Candidates and counting agents have been directed not to carry electronic gadgets/gizmos such as mobile phones, cameras etc in the counting hall.
Srivastava said that not a single complaint of violation of model code of conduct has been received by the commission.
