MARGAO: There was a late twist to the South Goa Parliamentary elections, when the BJP asked for a total recount of the votes polled in all the constituencies for the South Goa seat, on Tuesday evening.
This request was first made after 3 pm, after Congress had completed their celebrations outside the counting centre for the South Goa LS Elections.
At this stage, the counting was not complete with a few EVMs left for counting and the postal ballot counting was at its early stage.
At that point however, the request remained pending before the South Goa District Returning Officer, who had said any such decision would be taken only after the final counting was completed, including the postal ballot counting process.
At this point of time, Sources revealed that if indeed a recount takes place, it would be a randomised selection of EVMs and not of all the EVMs. Sources added that the first demand for a recount started with the Navelim constituency.
At this stage, Congress workers were waiting and watching and wanted to know if the demand for the recount was made in writing or if it was done verbally, based on which they would later react or oppose the move.
With speculation rife about a possible recounting, by 4 pm, the South Goa District Returning Officer clarified no decision had been taken and reiterated that only after the counting process is completed, that is the postal ballots, and the final tally is updated, a formal chance would be given to all the parties for a recount request. If that happens then, a decision will be taken at that stage.
However, by the time the counting was completed, it was clear that Captain Viriato Fernandes, the INDIA Bloc Congress candidate, was sure of securing the victory, it was revealed that the applicant named Deepak Naik from Vasco area, who had submitted an application for recounting of all South Goa constituencies, withdrew his application.
In the end, a little after 7 pm, the District Returning officer handed over the certificate to Captain Fernandes, confirming his victory and his election as the new South Goa Member of Parliament (MP), thereby putting to rest speculation on this topic.
