VALPOI, OCT 17
Elaborate arrangements have been made to conduct free and fair by-election to Valpoi Assembly seat on Monday.
The elections officers, including presiding officers, have taken possession of their respective booths in all the 31 booths on Sunday evening. Besides, CISF Jawans were seen guarding the booths on Sunday.
According to Returning Officer Jayant G Tari, voters will exercise their franchise in all 31 booths, 27 polling stations and four auxiliary booths on Monday from 8 am to 5 pm.
The Poll Monitoring System (PMS) would be implemented for the first time to avoid bogus voting and to facilitate smooth conduct of poll.
The voters, if any, require assistance or guidance could avail the benefits from voter’s facilitation centre, set up near each of the booths.
When contacted, Valpoi Police Inspector Sandesh Chodankar informed that no poll-related case has been registered till late Sunday evening and further said that intensive patrolling round-the-clock was on to monitor the situation.
“As per the situation prevailing till Sunday, poll would be conducted peacefully as far as law and order situation is concerned,” said PI Chodankar.
According to sources, a total of 17,920 voters (male – 9,107, female – 8,805, service voters – 8) will exercise their franchise and average number of voters per polling stations will be 663.
The polling stations are located at Nanus, Valpoi, Velus, Brahmakadmali, Ambede, Dhave, Kodal, Kudse, Sanvordem, Kumtal, Velguem, Khotode, Sirsode, Gawane, Shelmelaulim, Murmune, Guleli, Dhamshe, Savorshe, Bironde, Padeli, Vante and Advoi.
The maximum distance the voters will have to travel to reach the station is within 2 kms from their residence area.
It may be recalled that for the first time, Valpoi constituency has experienced ‘so-called’ silent campaigning by both the candidates, Vishwajeet Rane (Congress) and Santosh Haldankar (BJP) till Saturday evening, as no public meetings, no banners or posters were displayed anywhere in the constituency throughout the campaigning period, which ended peacefully on Saturday at 5 pm.
Counting of votes will be taken up at the Home Science College in Panjim on October 21.
In a bid to maintain law and order during the polls on Monday, authorities have deployed 85 CISF Jawans and 400 personnel of the Goa Police in the constituency.
In addition, eight section magistrates along with eight PSIs have been deployed to supervise the elections.
Dry days have been declared by the Excise Department from Saturday evening till Monday and also on counting day on October 21.
