PERNEM
Ambrose Fernandes was elected unopposed as sarpanch of Mandrem on Wednesday.
Fernandes was the only panch to apply for the post which had fallen vacant after former sarpanch Ashweta Mandrekar had resigned on August 28 in a mutual agreement among other panchas.
The meeting to elect the new sarpanch was conducted on Wednesday at 11 am and the panch members attending the meeting included Serefina Fernandes, Priya Konadkar, Ashweta Mandrekar, Pradip Hadfadkar, Raghoba Gaude and Subhash Aslokar.
Election officer Chandrahas Dessai declared Fernandes as elected unopposed as he was the lone candidate. Panchayat Secretary Avinash Paalni assisted the election officer.
Later speaking to reporters, newly elected sarpanch Fernandes said village development would be his first priority.
"My priority would be to provide better sports facilities to the youth and in this regard, I will focus on repairing the panchayat ground, making more equipment available and will also work to improve the panchayat's Deendayal hall," he said.
He also thanked all panchas for having elected him unopposed.
