PANAJI: Counting of votes for the Goa Zilla Panchayat elections is underway across 14 centres—6 in North Goa and 8 in South Goa. A total of 226 candidates are contesting, with results expected by the afternoon.
Early trends in North Goa as of 10 am show Congress leading in Calangute with Carmelina Fernandes and in St Cruz with Shiny de Oliveira, while BJP is ahead in Latambarcem with Padmakar Malik and in Honda with Namdev Chari.
In South Goa, Congress has already emerged victorious with Floriano Fernandes winning the Rumdamol Zilla Panchayat seat. BJP is ahead in Usgao–Ganje with Sameksha Naik, Rivona with Rajeshree Gaonkar, and Xeldem with Shidharth Gauns Dessai. MGP leads in Queula with Ganapat Naik, while the Goa Forward Party is ahead in Raia with Inacina Pinto.
Saturday’s polling recorded a remarkable 70.81% turnout, one of the highest in ZP election history, injecting fresh energy into the political landscape. Of the 226 candidates, 111 are contesting in North Goa and 115 in South Goa. Only nine incumbents are seeking re-election, alongside 12 candidates who had contested in 2020, making this year’s contest largely fresh and competitive.
