PANAJI
Amid fiercely contested elections and with winning margins expected to be wafer thin, all eyes have now turned towards the crucial postal ballots which could play a decisive role in the fortunes of candidates.
Such has been the focus of postal ballots that political parties are keeping a close watch to ensure that voters are not influenced while casting their postal ballots. In some cases, political parties have begun complaining that supporters have allegedly been pressurising government staff to vote in favour of particular candidates. In many constituencies, a number of candidates are in the fray and votes are expected to be split, which would further narrow down the winning margin.
The Congress has demanded that the Election Commission should conduct an enquiry into allegations that government staff are being pressurised to vote in favour of certain candidates. The MGP has also alleged that postal voters are being influenced by the government in Sanvordem constituency.
“Postal ballot voters are being influenced and were even invited to a resort,” alleged MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar, who has also demanded an inquiry by the election commission.
