VASCO
Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Arlekar and his wife Anagha Arlekar flew into the State on Monday morning to exercise their franchise in the assembly elections.
Arlekar and his wife went to the polling booth at the Mata Higher secondary school in Baina-Vasco as early as 7 am, reportedly becoming the first in Vasco to cast their votes.
Arlekar, who began his political career in Vasco and rose to become an MLA, minister and presently the governor of Himachal Pradesh, told reporters that he along with his wife had arrived from Himachal Pradesh specially to cast their votes.
“Voting is a very holy right in the better interests of the State and nation. I have travelled all the way from Himachal Pradesh to take part in this clean and holy activity of casting our votes.”
“I am sure Goans are intelligent and wise, and will come out in large numbers and cast their votes," said Arlekar.
Meanwhile, Mormugao taluka witnessed a large turnout of people to exercise their votes for the four constituencies of Vasco, Mormugao, Dabolim and Cortalim.
Police teams were deployed at all polling stations and all voters were made to wear masks and maintain social distance.
Voting began at a slow pace and picked up as the day progressed.
Many polling stations had been beautifully decorated to attract voters for elections, as the day had also coincided with Valentine’s Day.
Some voters were seen clicking photos and selfies after casting their votes, while some even clicked photographs with contestants who had arrived to cast their votes.
The entire voting process went off peacefully and there were no untoward incidents except for a few incidents where there were allegations of some persons distributing money for votes.
While the BJP, Congress, TMC, AAP and Revolutionary Goans party have fielded candidates in all four constituencies, the NCP and Shiv Sena have fielded candidates in two constituencies each.
