PANAJI
The State witnessed a record turnout of postal ballot voting with 96.57 percent of votes cast by absentee voters falling into categories of senior citizens above the age of 85 years, persons with disabilities, and essential services. Besides, 77.75 per cent of voting was recorded among polling officials, police, Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and home guards.
Data disclosed by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer on Monday indicated remarkable participation in postal balloting in the first category. Out of 4651 seniors identified, 4453 exercised their franchise, reflecting a turnout of 95.74 percent. Similarly, 1968 out of 2023 PWDs cast their votes, constituting a turnout of 97.28 per cent.
Out of 2189 essential services personnel identified, 2241 cast their ballots with a 97.67 percent turnout. Overall, 8610 out of 8915 voters cast their ballots, representing a turnout of 96.57 per cent.
Furthermore, 1355 out of 1783 polling parties (75.99 per cent) cast their postal ballot, while the category designated as 'other than polling parties' recorded 167 out of 180 votes (92.77 per cent). Police personnel, IRBn, and Home Guard members collectively cast 967 out of 1238 votes (78.10 percent). An overall 2489 votes out of 3201 identified voters (77.75 percent) in the second category exercised their franchise.
CODE VIOLATION PROBE: The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer has asserted to thoroughly investigate the three pending complaints regarding election code violations before the code is lifted next month.
A senior said that completing inquiries before the polls in Goa is not obligatory, as the election code remains in effect until the counting day on June 4.
“We currently have three pending complaints undergoing inquiry. A few more may have come to us but we are certain to meet the deadline,” the official told The Goan, on being asked about concluding the inquiries in time.
He further said that inquiry reports will recommend suitable actions if proven guilty, and subsequently, the action taken report will have to be sent to the election officials for record purposes.
