VALPOI
The Sankhali Municipal Council elections recorded 85.05% percentage voting on Sunday, with the fate of 55 candidates from 13 wards in the fray sealed. The counting will take place on Monday morning.
Sankhali Vikas Panel, which was backed by Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant and Together for Sankhali Panel supported by Chairperson Darmesh Saglani have expressed confidence of getting absolute majority from all wards.
On Sunday, voting started as per the schedule. As per information, 43 percent voting was recorded in the morning session. All wards recorded high percentage of voting, according to the returning officer and deputy collector of Bicholim Pradeep Naik. Naik said ward 13 recorded the highest percentage, while ward 8 the lowest.
Speaking further, Naik said that the polling process was peaceful. The counting of votes will begin at 8 am and is expected to get over by 12 noon.
Meanwhile, Dr Pramod Sawant said the high voter turnout should go in favour of Sankhali Vikas Panel. “People have voted for change and definitely the BJP panel will be form the ruling body,” he said.
Also, Dharmesh Saglani, who is the leader of Together for Sankhali Panel, said that his panel will win with a majority margin.
Photo Uday sawant.Some of the pictures showing the voting situation.
No single panel out of four in Ponda likely to get majority
PONDA
The counting of Ponda Municipal Council election held on April 29 will take place in the administrative building at Ponda on May 7.
Eyes are on ward 11 from where Ritesh Naik, son of MLA Ravi Naik, has contested.
The State Election Commission has made all arrangements for smooth counting and police personnel also have been requisitioned to maintain law and order.
The fate of 74 candidates from 15 wards backed by Congress, BJP, and MGP, has been sealed in the ballot box. 76.43 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise on April 29 to elect the new Ponda Municipal Council (PMC).
A total of 6,148 male voters and 6,061 female voters participated in the elections.
According to election officials, the voter turnout in all wards of PMC was: Ward 1 (77.55%), Ward 2 (74.81%), Ward 3 (74.46%), Ward 4 (77.69%), Ward 5 (74.67%), Ward 6 (78.32%), Ward 7 (77.31%), Ward 8 (80.69%), Ward 9 (71.89%), Ward 10 (82.36%), Ward 11 (79.58%), Ward 12 (68.33%), Ward 13 (73.81%), Ward 14 (82.75%) and Ward 15 (73.93%).
Ward 14 recorded the highest voter turnout, while Ward 12 had the least turnout and the only ward with a turnout of under 70%.
Police Inspector Harish Madkaikar told The Goan that all arrangements to maintain law and order have been made.
According to those keeping a close track of Ponda’s political situation said it is difficult for any single panel to get a majority. There were four panels in this election, namely Ponda Citizens Progressive Front backed by Congress, Ponda Citizens Committee (BJP), Rising Ponda (MGP) and Swabhimani Fondekar by an organisation called Ami Fondekar.
“It will be very difficult for any panel to get more than seven seats. Hence these will have to be dependent on others to form the ruling dispensation. Independents, who get elected, will have key role to play,” said a person in the know.
The strength of the ruling panel has to be eight. The outgoing council was formed by BJP and MGP as the Congress had only one seat.
