MARGAO: The Salcete Taluka has recorded lowest percentage of voters’ turnout in the entire State for the Zilla Parishad elections.
Some attribute it to less time for awareness of the voters but the overall anger against the government over the issues of coal hub and railway double-tracking is said to be the reason for the low enthusiasm among the voters.
The Raia Constituency which falls mainly under the Curtorim Constituency registered only 37.77 per cent voter turnout followed by Velim which registered 38.15 per cent voting. Benaulim registered 41.76 per cent voter turnout. Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao had his candidate in Benaulim fight against Congress candidate Royla Fernandes.
Interestingly, the awareness and meetings against coal hub and railway double-tracking had gained most attention in the Salcete. One of the villages that hosted the biggest agitation against the coal hub and railway double-tracking, Guirdolim village, however recorded 63.01 per cent voting. Davorlim which witnessed lot of action in the agitation against the coal transportation and railway double-tracking did register a decent turnout of 50.56 per cent.
The results will establish the mood of voters of Salcete and South Goa.
