PANAJI
Goa's political cauldron will sizzle with high drama on Monday morning as counting of votes for the Zilla Panchayat elections is slated to be taken up from 8 am.
The State Election Commission has set up 14 centers across the state, guarded by heavy police deployment. Results are expected by afternoon.
Saturday’s polling had seen a record 70.81 per cent turnout. That figure, unusually high for ZP elections, has electrified the political atmosphere and analysts say the surge could reshape local equations in many regions.
A total of 226 candidates are contesting -- 111 in North Goa and 115 in South Goa. Only nine incumbents have thrown their hats in the ring, alongside 12 candidates who had contested in 2020.
Ballot boxes were sealed in strong rooms under strict watch after voting. On Monday, counting will take place at two centers each in Bardez, Salcete, and Ponda. In other talukas, sports complexes and government offices will host the process.
Security is tight. Police contingents will be stationed at every centre. The administration has stressed crowd control to avoid chaos.
Political parties and alliances in the fray -- BJP-MGP, Congress-GFP, AAP and RGP -- are expected to closely analyse these results to shape their strategies for the mother electoral battle in the 2027 assembly election.
Meanwhile, once results are declared on Monday, lobbying is expected to begin immediately for the posts of chairman and vice-chairman in the two Zilla Panchayats. Winning candidates are expected to move quickly to secure alliances.
The mood among voters was upbeat on Saturday. Long queues were reported at several booths. Women turned out in larger numbers, a trend that could swing close contests.
By midday Monday, trends will start to emerge. With record participation and heightened anticipation, the results promise to set the tone for rural politics in the State.
The counting centres have been designated across the state to ensure smooth and efficient vote counting. In Pernem, the Multipurpose Sports Stadium has been selected, while Bardez will use the Peddem Sports Complex, including the boxing and badminton halls.
For Tiswadi, counting will take place at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium. In Bicholim, the Narayan Zantye Auditorium at Saravan has been chosen, and Sattari will conduct counting at the Kadamba bus-stand hall in Valpoi.
Further, Ponda will use the ITI Farmagudi premises, covering both the auditorium and workshop. In Salcete, the Matanhy Saldanha Complex in Margao has been designated, while Dharbandora will hold counting at the government office complex in Tamsodo.
The Sanguem and Quepem talukas will both use their respective government sports complexes, with Quepem’s located at Borimal. Lastly, Canacona will have its counting centre at the Government Higher Secondary School.
