MAPUSA
The day has finally arrived when Goans will decide who will represent them and echo their voices in the hallowed precincts of the lower house of the Parliament.
Goans will exercise their right to vote on Tuesday, in the third phase of the seven-leg general election, amidst soaring temperatures and fervent political debates.
Opposition parties have framed this electoral process as a critical endeavour to safeguard democracy and uphold the sanctity of the Constitution, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rallied supporters under the banner of a vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
With 11.75 lakh eligible voters poised to cast their ballots, the stakes are high as Goa prepares to elect two parliamentarians, one each from the constituencies of North Goa and South Goa.
The polling will begin at 7 in the morning and end at 6 in the evening.
A total of 1,725 polling stations have been established across the State, with meticulous planning by the Chief Electoral Office to ensure a seamless voting experience.
The polling staff fanned across the State, even as the State Election Commission engaged in a mammoth exercise of dispatching the electronic voting machines (EVMs) to all the polling stations.
In North Goa, Union Minister Shripad Naik seeks a record sixth term under the BJP banner, while the Congress has nominated seasoned politician Ramakant Naik to contest for the constituency.
In South Goa, industrialist Pallavi Dempo represents the BJP, while war veteran and activist Viriato Fernandes carries the Congress torch.
Adding to the electoral landscape is the debut of the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), with President Manoj Parab and Rubert Pereira contesting from North and South Goa respectively.
In the previous 2019 elections, the BJP's Shripad Naik secured victory in North Goa, while Francisco Sardinha of the Congress triumphed in the South.
With the unprecedented heat wave in parts of the country including in the coastal state of Goa, the focus is on the turnout.
Concerns over lower voter turnout in preceding phases of the parliamentary elections have prompted proactive measures by the Chief Electoral Office. Coolers have been installed in polling stations, and arrangements have been made to provide refreshing lemon juice to voters, ensuring their comfort as they fulfil their civic duty.
Notably, 92 other parliamentary constituencies across 11 States and Union Territories will also take part in the electoral process.
