PANAJI
The State Election Commission under the newly appointed commissioner is all geared up to first hold the phase of civic polls, even as the battleground is set for the polling to elect a new council of six municipalities and the Corporation of the City of Panaji on Saturday. The counting is scheduled for Monday, March 22.
Simultaneously, the polling will also take place for the by-elections to Navelim Zilla Panchayat. 18 different wards of various village panchayats and Ward 9 of the Sakhali Municipal Council.
Total 423 candidates will contest the March 20 election that include 273 candidates for 75 wards of six municipalities of Bicholim, Valpoi, Pernem, Cuncolim, Curchorem, Canacona having total 64,516 voters.
Except for Navelim ZP election, in the rest of the places the polls are not going to be held on party lines.
In Navelim, the ruling BJP, opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party candidates are in the fray and two-time ZP member is contesting as an independent.
BJP-backed panels are in the fray in all six municipalities and in Panaji City Corporation, the saffron panel is expected to get a tough opposition from independents who are unitedly supported by all opposition parties and also rebels from the BJP.
The BJP panel was in power in the CCP for the last two years.
By-elections for total 18 wards of village panchayats of Agassaim, Merces (2 wards), Mauxi , Pissurlem, Arambol, Corgao, Morjim, Karapur-
Sarvan, Mulgao, Oxel, Verla-Canca, Bastora, Assolna, Navelim, Balli-Adnem, Veling-Priol, Bhati will be held and total 10275 rural voters will cast their votes in these elections. In four wards the candidates have been elected unopposed.
Except for the CCP elections, where EVM will be used for voting, all other polls will be held through ballot papers. Total 1480 staff has been deployed by the election commission in the polling booths.
