70.8% turnout in Goa, highest since first ZP elections two decades ago

Panaji: Goa saw a record 70.8% turnout at the ZP elections on Saturday, the highest since these elections were first held two decades ago in 2005. The massive turnout, which comes amid several burning issues that have rocked the state’s political discourse recently — dacoities, job scams, gang wars, attacks on activists, and the recent fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in which 25 people died — raised several eyebrows, with observers wondering whether rural Goa will back govt or deliver an anti-incumbency blow to the Pramod Sawant govt.Over 6 lakh voters cast their votes in the ZP elections. The turnout in North Goa was 72.6%, compared to South Goa’s 68.9%. The first ZP election was held in 2005 with a voter turnout of 51.2%. The second-highest voting percentage for a ZP election was achieved in 2015, with 66.4%.

While most of the traditional Congress strongholds in Salcete registered a relatively low voting percentage this year, the BJP-dominated ones in northern and eastern Goa fared comparatively better.

The Latambarcem constituency in Bicholim recorded the highest turnout of 88.3%, while the lowest turnout of 55.3% was recorded in Navelim constituency, Salcete. The fate of 226 ZP candidates was sealed in ballot boxes, which will be opened on Monday to declare the names of the 50 new ZP members.“There was no untoward incident reported during voting, and the overall election was peaceful,” state election commissioner Menino D’Souza told TOI.

Analysts agree that silent voters hold the key, but the turnout has kept political parties guessing. Even though the two ZPs don’t have much power, the timing of the election is significant in view of the by-election in Ponda constituency, which is scheduled to be held before April following the death of then agriculture minister Ravi Naik in Oct.Also, political parties, which have stitched alliances, will look for clarity on whether these tie-ups have been accepted, and on how far they can go together.The importance of the ZP election is also underscored by the fact that in three months, political parties are set to face the urban electorate in municipal elections, which are not conducted directly on party lines.While several issues were talking points, especially online, the opposition was either silent on them or only raised them off and on. Voters, too, were tightlipped, but politicians worked overtime to reach out to them to get their party or supported candidates elected; firstly, to keep them politically relevant, and secondly, to stake a claim for a party ticket for the 2027 assembly election.The election result on Monday will reveal whether rural Goa has tried to send a clear message ahead of the all-important assembly election.Some politicians said that the results may force state govt to fast-track some issues related to the coastal belt — like taxis and loud music — that have remained unresolved. State govt is facing serious criticism from locals over noise pollution, with residents alleging that those in govt are turning a blind eye to their woes.

Taxi operators, too, are trying hard to get govt not to bring in aggregators.In some booths, voters were disappointed at the lack of the NOTA option. “A lot of young electors who came to vote and did not want to vote for any candidate were left without any option,” said a voter. “Govt should have provided a NOTA option.”“It was heartening to see people coming out in large numbers for the ZP elections; together, we are strengthening the foundation of a saksham zilla panchayat and a saksham Viksit Goa,” said CM Sawant while helping a senior citizen reach her polling booth.