The unprecendent showers that lashed the State in the
afternoon on 30th May 2005 was a crude Nature's
message to those contesting the five bye elections to
be on guard lest the turnout becomes dismal on the day
of reckoning i.e today 2nd June 2005.
Most of the candidates belonging to the National
parties in the fray depend on migrant vote banks.
Traditionally these voters mainly from neigbouring
States viz Karnataka etc return to their native places
once the first raindrops of monsoon come to tend to
their field. Some did so and put the candidates under
fear.
And this morning the candidates hit the panic buttons.
Heavy rains accompanied by thunder and lightning
began in the wee hours of the day between 0300 hrs to
0400 hrs. Voters recieved an unfamiliar caller warning
them of incessant rains as the day dawns and pleas to
vote in the first three hours and most did so to
"help" their candidates.
As the polling booths opened at 0800 hrs there were
huge Q's seen at the booths, and by 11 p.m. this
writer got information from all the constituencies
that the average turnout was about 40 % which was an
appreciable figure.
There were no reports of any trouble except in some
booths like at Aquem Margao where an official on
election duty was reprimanded for directing voters to
press a certain number in the EVM (Electronic Voting
Machine)
However frayed tempers were calmed due to friendly
disposition of the contesting candidates booth
committe members. In other booths the confusion was
owing to the fact that identity produced at the time
of voting needed to be recorded, to check
impersonation, or bogus voting.
There were complaints registered of ferrying voters
but such complaints were taken note of and checks
brought about by the police.
The voting percentage as confirmed from the Office of
the Chief Electoral Officer 222548 indicated that the
overall percentage was above 68%
11 Taleigao Assembly Constituency
23 booths
electorate 13426 males and 13181 females total 26603
Votes polled 17525
INC Atnasio (Babush) Monserate (ex-UGDP, ex BJP)
BJP Pradip Nagvekar
in the last election (June 2002) the UGDP (Atnasio
(Babush) Monserate) won the seat
in 14 Cumbarjua Assembly Constituency
31 booths
electorate 12870 males and 12891 females 25761 total
votes polled 18585
INC Pandurang Madkaikar (ex MGP ex BJP)
BJP Krishna Kuttikar (ex INC)
IND Nirmala Sawant (ex INC)
MGP Vijaykumar Shet
in the last election (June 2002) the MGP (Pandurang
Madkaikar) won the seat
in 28 Benaulim Assembly Constituency
23 booths
electorate 11285 males 11590 females total 22875
votes polled 14859
NCP Francisco (Micky) Pacheco (ex UGDP ex UGDP (S)
now also backed by INC alliance partner
UGDP Francisco Monte Cruz (ex INC)
BJP Premanand Lotlikar
in the last election (June 2002) the UGDP (Francisco
(Mickey) Pacheco won the seat
in 30 Margao Assembly Constituency
25 booths
electorate 12565 males 12079 females total 24644
votes polled 16107
INC Digamber Kamat (ex BJP)
BJP Sharmad Raiturkar
in the last election (June 2002) the BJP (Digamber
Kamat) won the seat
in 40 Poinguinim Assembly Constituency
21 booths
electorate 7438 males 7176 females total 14614 voters
votes polled 11020
INC Isidore Fernandes (ex IND ex BJP)
BJP Ramesh Tawadekar
IND Leao Monteiro
in the last re-election (Oct 2004) the BJP (Isidore
Fernandes) won the seat
Poinguinim 75%
Margao 63%
Benaulim 65%
Cumbarjua 70%
Taleigao 66%
As the voting drew to a close with those in the Que
before the end of polling at 1700 hrs allowed to
continue voting some aspirants lit crackers as a sign
of victory.
It was Vitamin "M" that changed hands today.
Volunteers at the booths (given the overcast skies)
not only demanded but also got their pound of flesh.
The going figure was two to three thousand per booth
per volunteer. There were also rumours of huge pay
offs doing the rounds to avoid booth volunteers from
switching sides or discreetingly "advising" the enemy
camp on those that had not voted yet. Ofcourse some
candidates promised Vitamin M but did not pay.
The terms and conditions were simple. All one had to
do is get info from within the booth about those that
voted (as ascertained from the voting list in each
booth) and those that did not. Then those outside
would tow them in their vehicles mostly of "friends"
and ensure that they vote ------ irrespective of the
parties were cast
The voting trends were still being computed at the
Office of the Chief Electoral officer Goa due to the
failure of internet making online computing redudant
for a brief two three hours.
The triangular contests in Poinguinim and Cumbarjua
and the low voter turnout in Margao compared to the
other constituencies may spring surprises.
The clear picture will emerge on 5th June 2005 on the
day of counting. Since EVNs are in use the results
can be expected by 1200 hrs noon.
All eyes move to lifting of Presidents Rule and the
game of numbers BJP 16 (less 2 if they dont get a
stay in the SC) + 1 UGDP and INC 15 + 1 NCP + 1 MGP
the Independent candidate will have to await either
the decision of the High Court petition or the
investigation report from the forensic dept in
Hyderabad to ascertain which of the suspected
politicians/MLA were involved in alleged forging of Mr
Filip Neri Rodrigues the Velim ex MLAs signature on
the membership form, now pursued by the Crime Branch
Goa Police.
Leaders of political parties were not available for
comment as almost all were confident of victories to
their respective candidates.
The weather god was kind to those that burnt the
midnight oil although it gave the contestants momemnts
of concern, and now a well deserved rest from the
gruelling campaign that was conduct in temperatures
ranging from 34 to 36 degrees celsius.
GODFREY J I GONSALVES
BORDA MARGAO
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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