log on to thegoan.net TUESDAY MAY 7, 2024 @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.320 Moment of truth for Goans today STAGE SET FOR LOK SABHA POLLS AMIDST HIGH STAKES, SCORCHING HEAT 11.75 LAKH VOTERS TO EXERCISE FRANCHISE OVER 1,700 POLLING STATIONS SET UP ACROSS THE STATE THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA The day has finally arrived when Goans will decide who will represent them and echo their voices in the hallowed precincts of the lower house of the Parliament. Goans will exercise their right to vote on Tuesday, in the third phase of the seven-leg general election, amidst soaring temperatures and fervent political debates. Govt declares public holiday PANAJI: The government on Tuesday declared May 7 as public holiday in view of the Lok Sabha polls in the State. A circular to this effect was issued by government today. Officials get ready to fan out for poll duty on the eve of polling day on Monday. Opposition parties have framed this electoral process as a critical endeavour to safeguard democracy and uphold the sanctity of the Constitution, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rallied supporters under the banner of a vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a vision of a Viksit Bharat. With 11.75 lakh eligible voters poised to cast their ballots, the stakes are high as Goa prepares to elect two parliamentarians, one each from the constituencies of North Goa and South Goa. Polling will begin at 7 in the morning and end at 6 in the evening. A total of 1,725 polling stations have been established across the State, with meticulous planning by the Chief Electoral Office to ensure a seamless voting experience. The polling staff fanned across the State, even as the State Election Commission engaged in a mammoth exercise of dispatching the electronic voting machines (EVMs) to all the polling stations. In North Goa, Union Minister Shripad Naik seeks a record sixth term under the BJP banner, while the Congress has nominated seasoned politician Ramakant Naik to contest for the constituency. In South Goa, industrialist NORTH Shripad Naik Ramakant Khalap KEY CONTENDERS Manoj Parab Pallavi Dempo India votes for 93 seats today NEW DELHI: Voting will be held in 93 constituencies spread over 11 states and Union Territories on Tuesday in the third phase of Lok Sabha polls, with stakes being high for the BJP which had won an overwhelming majority of these seats, including all in Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, in the last election. >> See pg 7 Pallavi Dempo represents the BJP, while war veteran and activist Viriato Fernandes carries the Congress torch. Adding to the electoral landscape is the debut of the Revolutionary Goans Party with President Manoj Parab and Rubert Pereira contesting from North and South. In the 2019 elections, BJP’s Shripad Naik secured victory in North Goa, while Francisco Sardinha of the Congress triumphed in the South. With the unprecedented heat wave in parts of the country including in the coastal state of Goa, the focus is on the turnout. Concerns over lower voter turnout in preceding phases of the parliamentary elections have prompted proactive measures by the Chief Electoral Office. Coolers have been installed in polling stations, and arrangements have been made to provide refreshing lemon juice to voters. SOUTH Viriato Fernandes Rubert Pereira ON PAGES 2 & 6 Will BJP wrest South or will Cong retain seat? Despite BJP’s concerted effort in Cuncolim, Joaquim confident Cong hoping for massive turnout of voters in Salcete Pilgrims embark on journey by VascoVailankani Express Foreign scribes amazed by poll preparedness 7 polling booths declared ‘critical’ in Mormugao Postal ballots: 96% turnout recorded THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI he State witnessed a record turnout of postal ballot voting with 96.57 percent of votes cast by absentee voters falling into categories of senior citizens above the age of 85 years, persons with disabilities, and essential services. Besides, 77.75 per cent of voting was recorded among polling officials, police, Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and home guards. Data disclosed by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer on Monday indicated remarkable participation in postal balloting in the first category. Out of 4651 seniors identified, 4453 exercised their franchise, reflecting a turnout of 95.74 percent. Similarly, 1968 out of 2023 PWDs cast their votes, constituting a turnout of 97.28 per cent. Out of 2189 essential servic- T ECI DATA ON POSTAL BALLOTS Of 4651 seniors identified, 4453 exercised their franchise 1968 out of 2023 PwDs cast their votes registering a turnout of 97.28% Out of 2189 essential services personnel, 2241 cast their ballots 1355 out of 1783 polling parties cast their postal ballot Category designated as ‘other than polling parties’ recorded 167 out of 180 votes Police personnel, IRBn & Home Guards collectively cast 967 out of 1238 votes es personnel identified, 2241 cast their ballots with a 97.67 percent turnout. Overall, 8610 out of 8915 voters cast their ballots, representing a turnout of 96.57 per cent. Furthermore, 1355 out of 1783 polling parties (75.99 per cent) cast their postal ballot, while the category designated as ‘other than polling parties’ recorded 167 out of 180 votes (92.77 per cent). Police personnel, IRBn, and Home Guard members collectively cast 967 out of 1238 votes (78.10 percent). An overall 2489 votes out of 3201 identified voters (77.75 percent) in the second category exercised their fran- chise. CODE VIOLATION PROBE: The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer has asserted to thoroughly investigate the three pending complaints regarding election code violations before the code is lifted next month. A senior said that completing inquiries before the polls in Goa is not obligatory, as the election code remains in effect until the counting day on June 4. “We currently have three pending complaints undergoing inquiry. A few more may have come to us but we are certain to meet the deadline,” the official told The Goan, on being asked about concluding the inquiries in time. He further said that inquiry reports will recommend suitable actions if proven guilty, and subsequently, the action taken report will have to be sent to the election officials for record purposes. RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Instagram.com/thegoanonline
The new Goa, with a broader profile of people from different parts of India and the world, needs not just a strong local paper but a complete paper. The Goan on Saturday will connect to and be a viable and comprehensive read for locals, other Indians in Goa, NRI and foreigners. It will also be a bridge for Goans in other parts of India all over the world to their home land. The Goan is published by Goa's most reputed industrial houses.
