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CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD
Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at:
http://www.casadegoa.org
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When the fifth Goa State Legislative Assembly will be
constituted in or around 10th or 11th June,2007, many
of the veteran representatives will be missing from
the House.
This obvious outcome was evident today 2nd June 2007
when a significant number of over 68.6 % voters
excercised their franchise, in the 1066 booths.
At dawn the first signs of the polling pattern became
evident as the overcast clouds spelt sporadic rainfall
the entire day. There was a less than 30% overall
polling in most booths by 12 noon but later the
figures swelled.
THough atleast 72 booths were treated as sensitive and
armed central police forces were seen in and around
the booths it must be said to the credit of the
Election Commission that the polls were peaceful and
incident free.
There was voting going on well after an hour of
closing as those in the Q before 5 p.m. were permitted
to vote.
For the first time sec 144 was imposed and this
ensured that there was no reason for groups of five
and above moving around. Vehicles were restricted
within 100 metres of the polling booth.
In the Curtorim Navelim Velim Constituency the sitting
stalwarts seem to have bitten the dust. Generally in
villages such enthusiasm does not seem to be visible
but this time round the voters verdict seemed apparent
that they voted for change.
The precursor to this was the trend seen in most
Village Panchayats in the first fortnight of May, 2007
when the new faces were elected. This trend voters
say will reflect the Assembly results.
A close confidant indicated that the BJP too would not
perform as expected and would be content sitting in
the Opposition. The Indian National Congress though
maintained that they will clobber a majority on their
own though in pre-poll alliance with the Nationalist
Congress Party. The dual stance of the Indian
National Congress is well known.
It is therefore clear as of the time of writing that
the fledgling new political outfit with its 7 point
agenda would be in a commanding position to batter for
power to take over the reins of the state.
Meanwhile there were unauthenticated pamphlets
distributed in favour of Mr Faleiro and against Mr
Kamat in Margao while the national networks featured
the expose on sale of land to the Russian by ex TCP
Minister Mr Antanasio Monseratte. National audio
visual networks billed the local elections as the
fight between the INC v's BJP which was far from the
ground reality where regional outfits and Independents
have a clear stake.
It was indeed sad that despite money being distributed
and items like umbrellas sarees etc and local
newspapers carrying "news features" on prospects of
candidates at a "price" there was no way the voter
could understand the political inticarcies of the
candidates propects.
The ban on sale of liquor issued by the Election
Commission was appreciated by one and all even the
missing posters and movement of propoganda vehicles
and microphones which were curtailed came in for
appreciation. The Election Observers too did a
commendable job and the transfer of police and
bureaucrats was widely appreciated.
Indeed this was the best election Goans faced no doubt
many could not vote owing to the missing names
syndrome.
But the message was loud and clear that a semblance
was brought about in the conduct of elections and the
Election Commission and officials and police deserve
all the praise.
This writer who visited several constituency in the
North and South since 0630 hrs till 0815 hrs was
delghted to see a peaceful and orderly election.
The rains were a blessing in disguise compared to the
humid atmosphere that the State witnessed in the past
few days.
from the Cavelossim Mobor end
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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