Team Herald
PANJIM: After the successful campaigning within the parameters of Model Code of Conduct, the election process has reached a crucial silent period of 48 hours which will culminate with the polling on April 23.
A total of 28 candidates — 12 for Lok Sabha and 16 for three by-elections are in fray.
A month-long hectic election campaign ended on Sunday at 5 pm. The polling for two Lok Sabha seats – North and South Goa and three assembly elections in Mandrem, Shiroda and Mapusa will begin at 7 am on April 23 and culminate at 6 pm.
As many as 11,35,811 voters are eligible to cast their vote on Tuesday.
Addressing media persons on Sunday evening, CEO Kunal, IAS, said that with end of campaign, the 48-hour ‘silent period’ has begun, with election authorities beefing up its security arrangements and keeping watch on code violations. “During the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) period, there were no much major complaints. Goa is largely a peaceful state for election conduct. There have been no much violations of MCC,” Kunal said.
The campaign was laced with allegations and counter allegations mostly between BJP and Congress, who are considered to be main contenders for North Goa and South Goa Lok Sabha seats. Both the political rivals are also against each other in all the three Assembly Constituencies.
While Congress could not fly any star campaigner except former actor Nagma for their campaigning, the BJP had its central leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Suresh Prabhu and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressing around 300 corner and public meetings.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressed a public meeting at Margao in support of its party candidates.
The CEO said it will undertake 100 percent webcasting at all 1652 polling stations. “Also, all the sector officers vehicles carrying reserved EVMs and VVPATs will be fitted with GPS tracking devices and their movement right from the receipt of the machines till the deposition back would be tracked,” Kunal said.
Kunal informed that decoration of all the 1652 polling stations will be undertaken keeping in mind the concept of ‘Desh Ka Maha Tyohar, deshacho mahan sanostav, traditional Goan festivity décor will be done. The interior ceiling will be decorated with colourful paper ribbons and exterior entrance with palm leaves, flower garland, etc. Colourful rangoli, which reads welcome and other such eco-friendly decoration conventionally used in Goan festivities by all communities, would be used.
“Use of thermocol shall be strictly prohibited,” Kunal said. Total 40 model polling stations and women manned polling stations are identified in the State. There are two polling stations which would be manned by people with disability.
Considering the overwhelming response it received to SVEEP activities, CEO is targeting 80 percent electorate turnout this elections.
