Candidates contesting panchayat elections in Ponda taluka had a free movement near the polling booths in most of the polling booths.
PONDA
The candidates were seen close and within 100 metres radius from the polling booths, while the ‘area officers’ failed to monitor the polling booths. No strict action was taken by the presiding officers. However, at a polling booth in Shiroda Bazar, the presiding officer had to intervene to request the candidates to maintain the distance from the polling booth.
Unlike the assembly election, there was poor deployment of police staff at all the polling booths in the taluka. The candidates were moving frequently in the polling booths and were seen convincing the voters close to the polling booths. In Shiroda, after noticing all the candidates standing close to the polling booth, a police constable requested them to maintain the distance. However, a candidate argued with the police constable, as a supporter of his opponent was frequently going inside the polling booth to help senior citizens to cast their votes.
Later, the police constable complained to the presiding officer, who convened a meeting of all candidates requesting them to stay away from the polling booth.
In Mardol, Orgao, Bhoma, Marcaim, Savoiverem and at other places, candidates were seen standing very close to the polling booths.
