CANACONA
There may be rivals in the elections but two former MLAs now contesting as Independent candidates in Canacona constituency buried their differences in a rare display over the allotment of the symbol.
According to sources, the Canacona Returning Officer requested the presence of two Independent candidates, Isidore Fernandes and Vijay Poi Khot, as they had opted for the same 'Rickshaw' symbol as the first of their three preferred symbols.
The Returning Officer reportedly requested both candidates to discuss and if possible, amicably resolve the issue.
When both candidates sought to know the elections commission’s rules in case multiple candidates opted for the same symbol, the returning officer said in case there was no amicable resolution between the candidates, the rules stipulated a toss to decide who would get the preferred symbol.
At that point, Poi Khot quickly responded by asking the Returning Officer to allot the ‘Rickshaw’ symbol to Fernandes, drawing instant appreciation from Fernandes.
“I liked Poi Khot’s gesture in allowing me my preference of symbol without going in for a toss,” acknowledged Fernandes.
Poi Khot later opted for his second preference of the ‘Helicopter’ symbol, while the third Independent candidate Kanaya Pagi was allotted his first preferred symbol of “Pen Nib with Seven Rays”.
