The by-elections for four zilla panchayat constituencies in Goa's Bicholim taluka concluded on a note of high democratic participation and overall peace. Voters across the region turned out in impressive numbers, with the Latambarcem constituency setting a remarkable benchmark for voter enthusiasm.
Record-Breaking Turnout and Peaceful Polling
The standout performance of the day was in the Latambarcem zilla panchayat constituency, which recorded an impressive 88.3% voter turnout. It was closely followed by the Pale constituency, where 86.6% of voters exercised their franchise. The other two constituencies also saw robust participation, with Karapur registering 79.4% and Mayem seeing 79.7% polling.
Barring a few isolated minor verbal clashes, the electoral process across all four constituencies was conducted peacefully. The day was marked by a strong sense of civic duty, with long queues forming at most polling booths, especially after 11 am.
Key Personalities and Voter Spirit
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, along with his wife Sulakshana and daughter Parthivi, cast his vote at the Kothambi Pale polling booth. His participation highlighted the significance of these local body elections.
The true spirit of democracy was embodied by Yashoda, a 103-year-old voter. Despite facing ill health, she made her way to the Navelim polling booth to fulfill her democratic duty, setting an inspiring example for all citizens.
Electoral Contests and Candidate Landscape
A total of 15 candidates were in the fray across the four constituencies, making for keenly watched contests. The political dynamics varied in each seat:
- In Latambarcem, the contest featured candidates from the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), along with two independent candidates.
- The Pale constituency witnessed a direct fight between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress.
- The Goa Forward Party (GFP) fielded its candidates in both the Karapur and Mayem constituencies.
The high voter turnout indicates a deeply engaged electorate in Bicholim taluka, with results keenly awaited to gauge the local political mood. The peaceful conduct reinforces the strength of Goa's democratic institutions at the grassroots level.
