Goa Polls 2022: Polling for 40 Seats Ends, 78.94% Voter Turnout Recorded
Catch all live updates from the Goa 2022 Assembly elections here!
Goa Elections LIVE: The fate of 40 Assembly seats is at stake as the state of Goa goes to the polls on 14 February.
Photo: The Quint
As voting ended for the 2022 Goa elections on Monday, 14 February, the state saw a 78.94 percent voter turnout till 6 pm for the 40 seats across the state.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of the BJP had said earlier in the day that he was confident that his party would win 22+ seats.
"North Goa has registered a maximum turnout of 79% than South Goa at 78%. In today's polling 14 EVMs and 8 ballet were replaced", Goa Chief Electoral Officer Kunal said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
North Goa: Citizens wait to cast their vote outside a polling booth at Thivim, on Monday, 14 February.
North Goa: A woman security personnel stands guard outside a Pink Booth at Thivim, on Monday, 14 February.
North Goa: AAP CM candidate Amit Palekar and his mother pose for the cameras after casting their vote at the St Cruz constituency.
Congress' Michael Lobo and his wife Delilah Lobo pose for a photo after casting their vote at a polling booth in the Calangute constituency.
Panaji: People queue up to cast their votes at a polling station in Panaji on Monday.
Around 11.6 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.
A total of 301 candidates are in the fray, out of which 26 are women.
The key constituencies in Goa are Panaji, Poriem, Margao, and Fartoda.
The Congress had won 17 seats in the 2017 elections, but could not form a government as the BJP, which had won 13 seats, cobbled together a coalition.
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Goa to Vote in all 40 Assembly Seats Shortly
The single-phase election to the 40 Assembly constituencies in Goa will begin shortly. Around 11.6 lakh voters are eligible to vote.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, is facing stiff competition from a bunch of parties in the Opposition, which include the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party, and the TMC-MGP alliance.
Congress had won 17 seats in the 2017 elections and emerged as the largest single party, but could not form a government as the BJP, which had won 13 seats, cobbled together a coalition. Many Congress MLAs later deserted the party, reducing its strength to two MLAs.
Meanwhile, AAP is contesting 39 seats, with Amit Palekar being their chief ministerial face.
Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, which is the latest entrant in Goa’s electoral politics, will contest 26 seats, and has entered into an alliance with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).
The NCP and Shiv Sena, too, entered into a pre-poll alliance.
Voting Kicks Off in Goa
Voting begins for the 40 assembly seats in Goa.
Goa Governor, Wife Cast Their Votes
Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai and his wife Reetha Sreedharan are the first to cast their votes at the Taleigao Assembly Constituency.
PM Modi Urges People to Vote in Record Numbers
Prime Minister urges people to vote in record numbers.
"Polling will be held across Uttarakhand, Goa and in parts of Uttar Pradesh. I call upon all those whose are eligible to vote today to do so in record numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy," he tweeted.
'Vote for the Future of Your Children': Kejriwal
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal asks people to vote for the "future of their children".
"Dear Goenkars,
You have the power to change this corrupt system and make Goa corruption free. Please step out and vote for the future of your children today," he tweeted.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Casts His Vote
Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar casts his vote at the Vasco da Gama Assembly Constituency.
'Fully Confident That BJP Will Win 22+ Seats': Goa CM Pramod Sawant
Goa CM Pramod Sawant says he is confident that the BJP will win 22+ seats.
"PM Modi called me in the morning today to give his best wishes. I'm fully confident that BJP will win 22+ seats. The infrastructure development by BJP in 10yrs & PM Modi's self-reliant vision will definitely benefit us with a 100% majority," Goa CM Pramod Sawant said, as per ANI.
'Elections Will be Free and Fair': Goa Governor
Goa Governor PS Sreedharan says the elections in the state will be free and fair.
"People in Goa are cooperative. There are no major political clashes. The elections will be free and fair. The ECI and all political parties deserve appreciation. This year I expect more people will come to the polling booths," Goa Governor PS Sreedharan was quoted as saying by ANI.
'Choose a Politics That Puts You First': Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urges people to chose development and a politics that puts them first.
"To all my Goan friends today; choose development, choose a politics that puts you first, choose the freedom to be you: choose Goa!" she tweeted.
Utpal Parrikar Visits Polling Booths in Panaji
Utpal Parrikar, son of former Goa CM late Manohar Parrikar, visits polling booths in Panaji.
He is contesting as an independent candidate in the constituency.
Goa CM Offers Prayers at Shree Rudreshwar Devasthan Temple
Goa CM Pramod Sawant offers prayers at Shree Rudreshwar Devasthan temple in Harvalem. His wife Sulakshana Sawant was also present with him.
Voters in Goa Provided Hand Gloves to Check the Spread of COVID-19
Voters in Goa have been given hand gloves at polling stations to check the spread of COVID-19, an election official said, according to NDTV.
For the convenience of female voters, over 100 'all-women' polling booths have been set up in the state.
'Day of Celebration of Democracy': CM Pramod Sawant
Goa CM Pramod Sawant urges people to come out and cast their vote:
"Today is the day of celebration of democracy. I appeal to everyone to come out and cast your vote. A vote for the future, a vote for stability, a vote for fulfillment of aspirations, a vote for all round development, a vote for prosperous Goa."
'People are Going to Vote for Future': Congress' Michael Lobo
Michael Lobo, the Congress candidate from Calangute, says the people of Goa will vote for the future.
"People are voting not for constituency but for Goa. When we talk about Goa, we talk about boys and girls who are unemployed, about mining being closed for the last 10 years, about problems in the tourism industry. People are going to vote for the future," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Goa CM Urges People to Vote for BJP
Goa CM Pramod Sawant urges people to vote for BJP. He also says Utpal Parrikar and Michael Lobo won't win and the BJP will return to power with a majority.
"I'm in Cotombi Village and have cast my vote. I appeal to the public to come out in huge numbers to vote. BJP government's work is in front of everyone. Utpal Parrikar (independent) & Michael Lobo (Congress) won't win, as BJP is coming with a majority," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Goa Health Minister Casts His Vote
Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane casts his vote at GPS Vithalapur Karapur Primary School in the Maem Assembly constituency.
Goa Records 11.04% Voter Turnout Till 9 AM
Goa records 11.04 percent voter turnout till 9 am.
AAP's CM Candidate Amit Palekar Casts His Vote
Amit Palekar, AAP's chief ministerial face, casts his vote from the Santa Cruz constituency along with his mother Jyoti Palekar.
"This is our moment to bring a change," he said, according to ANI.
An advocate by profession, Palekar comes from the OBC Bhandari community, which makes up 35% of Goa's population.
'Record-Breaking Voter Turnout Expected in Goa': State's Chief Electoral Officer
Record-breaking voter turnout expected in Goa, says the State's Chief Electoral Officer Kunal.
"Polling process peaceful with 11.04% voter turnout so far. We want more & more people to vote this time, expecting record-breaking voting. 5 Control Units, 11 VVPATs replaced during mock polls, this is a normal procedure," Goa's Chief Electoral Officer Kunal was quoted as saying by ANI.
Congress & BJP Workers Involved in a Verbal Duel: Reports
Congress and BJP workers were allegedly involved in a verbal duel at Vasco's polling station 30, according to The Times of India. Goa Police and the flying squad had to intervene to calm the situation.
Goa Records 26.63% Voter Turnout Till 11 AM
Goa records a 26.63% voter turnout till 11 am.
'We Will Witness a Sea Change in Goa': AAP's Amit Palekar
Amit Palekar, AAP's chief ministerial face, says the state will witness a sea change when the results are declared on 10 March.
"People are voting enthusiastically to defeat corruption. We will witness sea change. Let's wait for March 10 results," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Congress' Michael Lobo, Wife Cast Their Vote
Michael Lobo, the Congress candidate from Calangute, and his wife Delilah Lobo cast their vote at a polling booth in the constituency.
"The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it. I have done my responsibility of casting my vote. I appeal to everyone to go out and do your responsibility of casting vote," he tweeted.
Lobo, who held the portfolios of port and waste management under Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recently, quit the BJP after his wife Delilah Lobo was denied a ticket by the party.
South Goa's Sanguem Reports the Highest Voter Turnout as of 11 AM
Sanguem in South Goa reported a voter turnout of 32.87 percent, the highest, at 11 am. It was followed by Quepem at 31 percent.
Meanwhile, Mandrem reported the highest voter turnout (28.93 percent) at 11 am in North Goa. It was followed by Saligao at 28.37 percent.
Photo: CEO Goa / Twitter
Photo: CEO Goa / Twitter
Goa Records 44.63% Voter Turnout Till 1 PM
Goa records a 44.63 percent voter turnout till 1 pm.
'Goa Won't Allow Ulterior Motive of TMC-MGP to Divide Hindu Votes': CM Pramod Sawant
"Goans will not allow the ulterior motive of Trinamool Congress (TMC) - Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) to divide the Hindu votes," tweeted Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Sanquelim and Sanguem Report Highest Voter Turnout at 1 PM
At 54.00 percent, Sanquelim reported the highest voter turnout at 1 pm in North Goa. It was followed by Poriem, which had a voter turnout of 48.60 percent.
In South Goa, Sanguem reported the highest voter turnout of 53.91 percent at 1 pm. Sanguem was followed by Priol at 51.55 percent.
BJP's First Post-Parrikar Election
This will be the first Assembly election for the BJP after the death of its stalwart former chief minister Manohar Parrikar – largely credited for being the architect of the party in Goa.
Son of former chief minister Manohar Parrikar, Utpal Parrikar, quit the BJP after local heavyweight Atanasio Monserrate was given the ticket in Panaji.
Parrikar junior will now be contesting as an Independent from the capital city.
The Congress, on the other hand, will be looking to course-correct and avoid mistakes of the past; in 2017, the party was unable to form the government despite emerging as the single largest party in the state with 17 seats.
Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), meanwhile, has made steady inroads in the state and has entered the battlefield with a chief ministerial face (Amit Palekar) this time around.
Read the full analysis here.
At 3 PM, Highest Voter Turnout in Sanquelim and Sanguem
Sanquelim continued to report the highest voter turnout at 3 pm in North Goa at 70 percent, and was followed by Bicholim, at 66 percent.
In South Goa, Sanguem reported the highest voter turnout at 3 pm at 69.47 percent, followed by Priol at 67 percent.
Key Candidates
Some of the candidates to watch out for in the 2022 Goa elections are the following.
Pramod Sawant (BJP): Incumbent Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is contesting the election from Sanquelim Assembly constituency in North Goa. Sawant, who has won the seat twice in 2012 and 2017, has been pitted against Congress' Dharmesh Saglani.
Digambar Kamat (Congress): The current Leader of the Opposition in Goa, Kamat was the chief minister of the state from 2007 to 2012 and was succeeded by BJP's Manohar Parrikar. A seven-time MLA, he is contesting from the Margao constituency as a Congress candidate. Up against Kamat in Margao is the state's Deputy Chief Minister Babu Azgaonkar.
Elvis Gomes (AAP): Former AAP state-convener and bureaucrat Elvis Gomes made headlines when he joined the Congress in 2021. Gomes has been fielded against BJP heavyweight Atanasio Monserrate in the capital city of Panaji.
Sanquelim and Sanguem Lead Voter Turnout at 5 PM
In North Goa, Sanquelim, at 88.07 percent, led the voter turnout at 5 pm.
It was followed by Bicholim at 83.54 percent.
In South Goa, Sanguem reported the highest voter turnout at 5 pm at 84.61 percent, with Priol just behind at 84.50 percent.
Sanquelim Records Almost 90% Turnout
In North Goa, Sanquelim finished with the highest voter turnout at 89.64 percent.
It was followed by Bicholim at 87.84 percent.
On the other hand, in South Goa, Priol overtook Sanguem with a voter turnout of 87.73 percent as compared to the latter's 84.61 percent.