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Goa records lowest turnout in 30 years

Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji

Heavy showers saw Goa record its lowest-ever voting percentage in three decades. "It will be around 45 per cent this time," says Kewal Sharma, the state's chief electoral officer.

Last year's general election had over 60 per cent voters exercising their franchise; it was around 56 per cent in 1996. Even the June assembly poll had recorded a 65 per cent turnout.

The leading contenders for the beach state's two Lok Sabha seats are former Union minister Ramakant Khalap and Joaquim Alemao, controversial state minister Churchill Alemao's brother, for the Congress, and Shripad Naik and Ramakant Angle for the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Nationalist Congress Party and the Communist Party of India are also in the fray, besides a few Independents, though it is really a straight fight between the BJP and Congress.

The Christian-dominated Salcete taluka in south Goa, which is vital for Congress candidate Alemao's chances, witnessed a much lower turnout compared to the BJP-dominated talukas.

Some BJP strongholds touched 60 per cent though all the state's main cities and towns did not cross 40 per cent. Several Congress legislators, it is said, did not take much interest in drawing voters to the polling booths, especially in Salcete.

Some ministers were found resting at home in Salcete, hinting at their displeasure over the Congress candidate. In spite of it being a Sunday, many voters preferred to walk home after mass rather than vote.

BJP leaders have already claimed the turnout is an indication of their candidates winning both seats.

In North Goa, the pro-BJP trend was clearly visible. Khalap himself brought down his victory forecast from 30,000 to 10,000 votes, admitting indirectly that it is not smooth sailing for him.

Last year, Khalap -- then contesting the election for his Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party -- came third. The BJP lost to the Congress by 420 votes.

R S Sahay, the state director general of police, said the election was incident-free, compared to past polls, even though fewer security personnel were available this time.

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