PANAJI
Unmindful of the looming threat from a resurge in Covid-19 cases, the electorate of Panaji turned up at polling booths to cast their votes and elect the city fathers, logging a respectable 70.19 percent turnout.
The elections to the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) had 22,495 of the total 32,051 voters punching their votes on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) across the 30 wards of the State's sole municipal Corporation.
The elections, although by and large peaceful, had innumerable instances where people turned up to vote at wrong booths owing to the confusion caused by the haphazard delimitation of wards.
There were many instances, particulary in the heart of Panaji city, where members of a single nuclear family living under the same roof being listed in electoral rolls of distinct wards.
The puzzling, error-filled delimitation of wards also had some cases where individuals had the option of voting in multiple wards with their names figuring in rolls of different wards.
The battle for power in the CCP polls is primarily between BJP panel led by Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate, who is claiming all 30 wards will be won by it, and a citizen-driven Ami Ponnjekar panel with faces of varied political hues including the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and even some saffron rebels.
There are also a handful of wards where 'independent' candidates who are neither part of the Monserrate-led panel nor do they belong to Ami Ponnjekar, who have a strong showing. A total of 95 candidates are in the fray for a seat in the 30-ward CCP.
COVID SOPs GO FOR A TOSS
PANAJI: Despite the looming threat of a resurge, Covid-19 norms and SOPs were seen violated by voters as well as candidates and their supporters accross the 30 wards.
The social distancing and wearing of masks rule was violated liberally.
