NT Reporter
Mapusa
Polling for the Zilla Panchayat elections in the Siolim, Colvale, Aldona, Sirsaim and Anjuna constituencies was held peacefully on Saturday, with
the fate of the candidates sealed and counting scheduled to be held on Monday. Close contests are expected in several seats, many of which have emerged as prestige battles for contesting political parties and local leaders.
Siolim and Aldona recorded the highest number
of candidates in the fray, with six each, followed by Anjuna with five candidates, while Sirsaim and Colvale had four candidates each. Several constituencies, including Anjuna, Sirsaim, Aldona and Colvale, witnessed keen contests, with party workers of major political parties actively canvassing through the day.
Both Anjuna and Siolim seats are being viewed as prestige constituencies, with close fights anticipated. Silent voters are expected to play a decisive role in determining the outcome. Similar expectations have been expressed in Aldona and Sirsaim, where both the BJP and Congress mounted strong campaigns.
The Colvale seat is set to witness a four-cornered contest, with Kavita Kandolkar contesting as an independent against
Sapana Mapari of the
BJP, Pradnya Sawant of the RGP and Snejana Pereira of the AAP.
Voter response was mixed across the constituencies. While some polling stations saw long queues and steady turnout, others witnessed sparse voter movement, with voters arriving, casting their ballots and leaving without much interaction. Polling was initially slow, with turnout remaining modest until noon, but voter participation picked up after lunch and continued till around 4 pm, crossing the 60 per cent mark in several areas.
The relatively lower enthusiasm was attributed to limited public interest in the elections, with minimal activity observed around polling stations.
Arrangements were made to facilitate elderly and disabled voters, including the provision of wheelchairs and transportation to polling stations.
Police personnel and assigned staff assisted such voters in reaching the booths. Drinking water facilities were provided, and sheds were erected at polling stations to accommodate voters standing
in queues.
