Team Herald
PANJIM: Monday is the D-Day for all the candidates as it will decide who will rule the six Municipal councils – Pernem, Valpoi, Bicholim, Churchorem, Cuncolim and Canacona as well as the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP).
Not just the fate of 423 candidates but it will also be a testing ground for Dr Pramod Sawant-led BJP government, as the elections are held before the State Assembly election, due next year.
The counting of votes for the six municipal councils, Corporation of City of Panaji as well as the by-polls held for the 18 wards of various village panchayats, Navelim Zilla Panchayat and ward 9 of the Sanquelim Municipal Council will take place on Monday, March 22.
The counting will start at 8am across various counting stations.
Of the total 64,516 voters from six Municipal councils, almost 53,671 voted with a voting percentage of 83.16 whereas in Panjim, 22,495 votes were polled of the total 32,051 voters – 70.19 percent.
CCP had the highest number of candidates at 95. A total of 48 candidates were in the fray from Curchorem, 37 in Pernem, 31 at Canacona and 23 at Valpoi. In all, 273 candidates from the six municipal councils contested the polls held on March 20.
The voting percentage reported in 18 wards of different village panchayat was 83.30 per cent; while the Navelim zilla panchayat reported poor turnout with only 57.52 per cent exercising their right.
The ward 9 of the Sanqulim Municipal Council reported 87.67 per cent voting.
Five candidates, one in Valpoi Municipal Council and four in various village panchayats have already been declared elected unopposed. Nirmala Sakhalkar was declared elected uopposed from ward 8 of Valpoi Municipal Council while, Vitho Varak (ward 2) of Mauxi panchayat and Nikita Narvekar (ward 3) of Bhironda panchayat in Sattari taluka; Stefanie Lucas (ward 2) of Chicalim panchayat in Mormugao taluka and Prakash Gaonkar (ward 7) of Rivona panchayat were also declared elected unopposed.
A total of 95 candidates have tried their luck in 30 wards of the CCP, while a total of 273 candidates are in battle ground in six municipal councils.
Nearly 83.19 per cent voter turnout was reported for six Municipalities which went for polls on Saturday; while CCP recorded 70.19 per cent voting.
The Pernem Municipal Council witnessed the maximum voting as 91.02 per cent voters came out to exercise their right. This was followed by Bicholim Municipal Council which saw 87.96 per cent voter turnout followed by Canacona with 86.88 per cent voting and Valpoi with 85.50 per cent voting. Cuncolim reported 76.35 per cent voter turnout, while Curchorem reported 80.24 per cent voting.
Navelim ZP saw lowest 57 per cent turnout.
This is the first round of Municipal elections,while another five Municipalities will go for polls before end of April.
Goa Police have made elaorate arrangements within and outside the counting centres to ensure no untoward incidents are reported. Several armed police have been deployed since the counting day, who are working in shifts.
