THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Defying poll pundits who predicted a low voter turn out, Aquemkars turned out in large numbers at the re-poll for booth No 8 of Margao assembly constituency, where polling was conducted in a peaceful manner.
Returning officer for Margao constituency, Uday Prabhudesai put the poll percentage at 79.90 per cent. A total of 632 out of 791 voters turned up to cast their vote, including 294 males and 338 females.
Polling began on a moderate note with a women voter, Alka Raikar casting the first vote of the day, which was carried out under strict supervision of Central para-military forces and Goa police personnel.
Almost all the candidates in the fray, including Congress candidate Digambar Kamat, BJP’s Sharmad Raiturcar, AAP’s Santosh Raiturcar and MGP’s Jayesh Naik made their presence at the polling booth since morning.
Given that it was week day, many voters turned up before office hours to cast their vote and the poll percentage had almost reached the 50 per cent mark by noon.
Taking no chances, the Returning Officer had drafted a reserve team of poll officials led by Presiding officer, Nikhilyith Unnikrishnan, who conducted the proceedings under the watchful eyes of the Returning Officer Uday Prabhudesai and the general observer Mansi Nimbhal (IAS), who visited the polling booth several times.
Senior police officers, including district police chief, Chandan Chaudhary, Margao Sub-divisional police officer, DySP Dinraj Govekar were also present at the polling booth.
DySP Govekar said that polling passed off peacefully without any untoward incident.
After polling ended at 5 pm and after the EVM was sealed by the Presiding officer in the presence of the Returning Officer and the candidates, the sealed items were transported first to the Collectorate and then to the strongroom at the government multipurpose college building at Borda.
The re-poll for booth No 8 was ordered by the Election Commission following a goof up by then Presiding Officer when he conducted actual polling without clearing the votes cast during the mock polling.
