the goan I network
PONDA
Voting for the Shiroda bypoll and the Lok Sabha election across Ponda taluka were conducted peacefully, with no untoward incident reported in the taluka.
Kedar Naik, returning officer for the Shiroda by-poll, informed that the election was conducted peacefully in Shiroda. “We had to change two VVPATs but apart from that, there were no snags elsewhere,” he said.
He also said voting at all polling booths, with the exception of the Shiroda bazaar polling booth, began and ended on time. “Since there was a long queue at the Shiroda bazaar polling booth, we gave extra them time to cast their votes,” said Naik.
At Mudai-Panchwadi, supporters of candidates were found trying to influence voters near a polling booth. A police team went to the site and threatened action if they were found trying to influence voters. There were claims of a group distributing money to voters at Karai and the matter was reported to election officials, but the group disappeared from the site.
At Borim, Shiroda, Panhawadi and Bethora, some supporters were seen helping voters reach their respective polling stations.
Congress candidate Mahadev Naik told The Goan that he would win by 500 to 1,000 votes. “I got very less time to campaign, but I managed to meet voters,” Naik said.
MGP candidate Deepak Dhavalikar said he had received huge response and would get around 14,500 votes. “Propaganda against me by my opponent didn’t work and I got very good support,” said Dhavalikar.
BJP candidate Subhash Shirodkar’s mobile was switched off and BJP block president Suraj Naik said Shirodkar was busy with his supporters.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha elections in Ponda taluka also took place in a peaceful manner. Two faulty VVPATs from Marcaim were replaced by election officials.
Various facilities and arrangements were made to facilitate voters in exercising their franchise.
