35% voter turnout for LS by-poll in S Goa
NT News Service Margao, Oct 31 For the first time in the history of parliamentary elections in Goa, the South Goa by-election registered a low turnout of 35 per cent. Save for the zero per cent voting recorded in three polling stations at Kundaim, in Marcaim constituency, the by-election was incident free and peaceful. The villagers boycotted the election and over 2,700 odd voters refrained from exercising their franchise in Kundaim. Out of total voting electorate of 5.60 lakh in South Goa, only 1.95 lakh voters came out to cast their vote. Constituency-wise, Marcaim recorded the lowest at 27 per cent, while Sanguem was highest with 50 per cent. Incidentally, the low turnout was a trend witnessed throughout the length and breadth of South Goa, leaving the political leaders guessing on their prospects. Considered as the bastion of Congress, the eight constituencies in Salcete registered an overall voting of just around 33 per cent. While voting in Margao was put at 31 per cent, it was a paltry 29 per cent in neighbouring Fatorda. Mr Francisco Sardinhas constituency, Curtorim recorded a fairly decent score of 45 per cent, while Navelim recorded a voting percentage of 32. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party was on a high, as voting in constituencies in hinterland having significant saffron voters has shown a marginal higher turnout. Sanguem recorded 50 per cent of voting the highest in the by-election and Poinguinim, 35 per cent. The average voting in Sanvordem, Curchorem and Quepem was 35 per cent. The day began with voters coming out in a trickle. Most of the polling booths recorded a percentage of just around 8 per cent in the first two hours of polling. The low turnout pattern, however, continued throughout the day. The state Congress chief and Congress candidate, Mr Francisco Sardinha attributed the low turnout to harvesting and thrashing season. Frequent elections that too in quick time have also cast a dampener on the by-election, he disclosed and added that the people may have gone on vacations. He, however, said he would win the by-election, but with a reduced margin. I should win by a margin of around 15,000 votes, Mr Sardinha said. He was not ready to buy the argument that some of Congress leaders may have worked against him, but he was sure that the Save Goa Front workers have worked against Congress. Some of my colleagues and workers have informed me that the SGF activists worked against Congress, he said. According to the BJP candidate, Dr Wilfred Mesquita, the low turnout in Salcete was negative voting against the Congress-led government and the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat. Vacations could also be a reason for the less voting in the by-election, he said. But voting in rural areas was more, which will work in my favour, he disclosed. My victory is assured and I will win with a margin of more than 10,000 votes, he said. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=110115 Sanny de Quepem <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
