VASCO
Elections for the Cortalim ZP constituency were peaceful with no untoward incident.
Mormugao Deputy Collector Sachin Desai told reporters that 46.36% of the voters exercised their franchise on Saturday.
"Elections were conducted peacefully and three Covid patients also cast their votes. We had provided them with PPEs which were worn by them before voting.
“There were no problems or any untoward incident during the polling process and counting will take place at the MPT Hall in Vasco on Monday from 8 am," said Desai.
When elections began at 8 am at the 22 polling stations in different areas of the constituency like Bogmalo, Cortalim, Quelossim, Velsao and Cansaulim, the turnout was very poor. By 10 am, the turnout was 11.35% and it rose to 24.72% by 12 am, 36.14% by 2 pm and finally ended at 46.36% by 5 pm.
Police teams were deployed at all polling stations, with every polling station maintaining SOPs and ensuring that voters wear masks and maintain social distance.
Cortalim PHC Health Officer Dr Pranjali Prasad told reporters that they had made all arrangements to ensure safe polling at the Cortalim ZP elections.
The Cortalim ZP constituency is being contested by outgoing ZP Candidate Anton Vas, Congress candidate Lopinho Xavier and AAP candidate Pobres Vaz in the constituency reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
While Vas was satisfied with the arrangements and safety measures for the voting process, Xavier was not happy with voter turnout.
"The election process was declared all of a sudden by the State government and there was no time for preparation. We have done our best and are hopeful that people will elect us.”
“The Covid pandemic stopped people from coming out of their houses and there was a low voter turnout. The government should have thought about this before conducting the ZP elections," said Xavier.
