PANAJI
The suspense over the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) elections will finally lift on Friday as counting of votes begins at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium from 8 am.
Polling held on Wednesday saw 22,445 voters -- 10,575 men and 11,870 women -- exercise their franchise across 30 wards, recording a turnout of over 69 per cent.
Voting was held by ballot and not the usual electronic voting machines (EVMs) breaking away from the trend in three previous elections in 2011, 2016 and 2021.
Results to all the thirty wards are expected by early afternoon, the officials said.
The contest has drawn unusual political attention, with heavyweight leaders campaigning vigorously for rival panels and candidates.
Close battles are anticipated in several wards where prominent local figures and political scions are in the fray.
Beyond the civic stakes, the contest has carried strong political undercurrents. Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate campaigned vigorously for his panel, while Utpal Parrikar, son of the late Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, threw his weight behind the Ami Panjekar panel.
