NT Reporter
Curchorem
Polling for the ZP elections in Sanvordem, Xeldem and Rivona constituencies passed off peacefully on Saturday, with women voters outnumbering men across all three seats.
Sanvordem had 22 polling booths, Xeldem 21 and Rivona 28. Sanvordem recorded a total of 10,984 votes, including 5,360 male voters and 5,624 female voters, registering a turnout of 74.85 per cent. Xeldem recorded a turnout of 72.57 per cent, with 10,239 votes cast, comprising 4,605 male and 5,634 female voters. Rivona recorded the highest turnout at 78.92 per cent, with a total of 13,162 votes, including 6,131 male and 7,031 female voters.
Sanvordem is reserved for ST candidates and is witnessing a four-cornered contest. Rajendra Shirodkar is contesting on a Congress ticket, Mohan Gaonkar represents the BJP, Urmila Kalekar is the AAP candidate, while Atish Gaonkar is in the fray as an independent. In the previous election, when the seat was in the general category, Suvarna Tendulkar of the BJP had won.
The Xeldem constituency is in the general category and has four candidates contesting, while Rivona constituency is reserved for a ST woman candidate and is witnessing a three-cornered contest.
The BJP has fielded Sidharth Gauns Dessai, the Congress has nominated Rosario Fernandes, the AAP has fielded James Fernandes, while Ramanand Naik is contesting as an independent. The seat was won by Sidharth Gauns Dessai of the BJP in the last election.
Rivona constituency is reserved for a Scheduled Tribe woman candidate and is witnessing a three-cornered contest. Rajeshree Gaonkar is contesting on a BJP ticket, Sahidnya Gaonkar is the candidate of the Goa Forward Party, which is in alliance with the Congress, while Tejaswini Gaonkar is contesting as the AAP candidate. The seat was won by Suresh Kepekar of the BJP in the previous election.
