ZP polls campaign draws to a close

The drums have fallen silent as campaigning for the zilla panchayat elections ended on Friday evening. The elections will be held on March 7 for 48 of the 50 constituencies in North and South Goa. The commissioner, State Election Commission, Mr P N Borkar informed that there will be elections in only 18 constituencies in South Goa as Ms Nelly Rodrigues has been elected unopposed from the Colva constituency, while the election for the Navelim constituency has been countermanded following the death of a candidate, H Fernandes.

Mr Borkar said that there will be elections in all the 30 constituencies in North Goa and that the Election Commission expects the elections to go on peacefully. He further said that barring minor complaints of candidates using posters, banners, loud speakers, there have been no major violation of code of conduct during the campaigning adding the issues have been sorted out by the returning officers.

Stating that the entire machinery is ready to conduct the elections in a free and fair manner, the commissioner urged the people of the state to come out in large numbers and participate in the elections. On a day of hectic campaigning, the candidates tried their level best to woo the voters till the last minute across the state. Candidates and their supporters were seen campaigning aggressively to gain the last moment advantage, however, the ZP election has failed to create enthusiasm among the youth, especially, the first time voters.

Ms M A D'Souza (18) from Agacaim, who is now eligible to vote, said "I'm is not very sure if I will actually go to cast my vote. Being Sunday I have to go for mass and with exams round the corner I'm not sure if I will have the time to vote. I don't even know who the candidates are in this election. When I first got my name enrolled on the voters list, I was very excited but now I'm not feeling the same." Similarly, Mr Andrew Fernandes (22) said "I have other plans for Sunday with my friends, I have just returned from the ship and would not like to spend my Sunday by standing in a long queue."

While, Neha Naik (19) said "I am indeed very excited to cast my vote for the first time. I missed the last elections due to exams. However, not this time, I will surely go out there and vote. I have also told my friends that they too should participate in the elections."