the goan I network
CANACONA
Marlem (Poinguinim) residents have stuck to their their threat to boycott the Lok Sabha elections while the Taluka administration in their last-ditch efforts held two back-to-back meetings on Saturday and Sunday with the concerned government officers to convince the electorate to exercise their franchise on Tuesday.
Marlem residents claim that they have been ignored by various governments that came to power in Goa over the years. The governments have failed to meet their basic needs for a road and electricity supply. Due to this the residents have threatened to boycott the elections and have not budged from their decision even after persuasion by politicians and government authorities.
Poinguinim village Sarpanch Jagdish Gaonkar along with Kust Gaonkar, Tolu Gaonkar and Pandurang Gaonkar are leading the boycott, reiterated the Marlem residents’ decision not to participate in voting irrespective of what the authorities announce.
However, Canacona deputy Collector Sagun Velip exuded confidence that Marlem residents will exercise their franchise on Tuesday in Lok Sabha polls. “Yes, given the positive actions by concerned government agencies. I firmly believe that each of 221 voters will come out and exercise their franchise in Tuesday’s polls.”
Meetings were held on Saturday and Sunday between various government officials and representatives of Marlem to find a solution to their issue.
When informed about the reiterated decision of Marlem residents to boycott the polls, dy Collector said, “just by denying themselves the right to vote, what are they going to gain? Their refusal to vote is not a good thing.”
