MAPUSA/PORVORIM
Election in the 33 panchayats in Bardez taluka passed off peacefully on Wednesday. Bardez clocked 77.51 per cent voting by the end of the day.
Although the weather was bright and dry, voting began on a sedate note in most panchayat areas in Bardez which, however, picked up momentum in the second half of the day.
Although 12 wards were declared as sensitive and three wards vulnerable in the taluka, polling passed off peacefully without any law and order problem.
A total of 995 candidates were in the fray in 33 panchayats in Bardez.
13 candidates “ six in Reis Magos, three in Nadora, two in Salvador-do-Mundo and one each in Penha-de-Franca and Bastora “ were already declared elected unopposed.
In an unusual situation, both legislators representing Porvorim plateau did not get to vote in the panchayat elections even though they have been actively involved in panchayat elections and have floated their own panels in different villages falling in their constituencies.
Both Tourism Minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte and Saligao MLA Kedar Naik are voters of wards which did not go to polls as their panchas were elected unopposed.
Both legislators were, however, confident that their panels would win and take control of the panchayats in their constituencies.
“I was happy with polling arrangements by the State government. Voting was peaceful and this time, there was much enthusiasm among voters to elect their candidates. The way voting is going on, I am confident that all three of my panels will get elected with a big margin,” said Khaunte.
Saligao MLA Kedar Naik said voters had exercised their franchise in large numbers in Saligao constituency.
“Five candidates of my panel have been elected unopposed in Reis Magos and I am sure my panel will come to power in Reis Magos panchayat. I am confident that candidates in my panels in other panchayats of Saligao constituency will also get elected,” said Naik.
Meanwhile, voting in various panchayats across the constituencies of Porvorim and Saligao took place peacefully, with no untoward incidents reported at Porvorim and Saligao police stations.
Voting was slow in the morning but picked up late in the afternoon. Wheel chairs were made available for persons with physical disabilities at all polling stations.
At some polling stations, some candidates were seen providing transport to bring their voters to the polling stations.
