At 69%, Panaji sees lower turnout than in Covid era

Panaji: A voter turnout of 69%, 1% decline from 2021 levels, has introduced a degree of uncertainty regarding the outcome of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) elections. Candidates and political analysts are now evaluating whether revenue minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate has successfully maintained his influence over the state’s only municipal corporation, or if former defence minister and ex-CM Manohar Parrikar’s son Utpal leading the ‘Ami Panjekar’ panel, has made gains within this Monserrate stronghold.

During the CCP polls in the Covid pandemic period, locals came out in large numbers and voted, but in 2026, despite the candidates trying hard to get the people out of their houses, the voter turnout did not cross the Covid period turnout.

A political observer said that if the united opposition won the wards in double digits, then the opposition would get a ‘sanjivini’ ahead of the assembly elections, and political parties will have to go back to the drawing board to plan a new strategy to defeat BJP in the assembly elections. A total of 69 candidates are in the fray for the CCP elections.

Many electors turned up to vote at the last minute, and queues were seen even after polling ended at 5pm.

As per the rules, those who arrived at the polling booth before 5pm should be allowed to cast their votes even after polling time is over.

Overall, the elections were held peacefully and no untoward incident was reported. The elections were conducted on ballot papers.

On the face of it, it was a usual day in the capital city, but at polling booths, candidates and their supporters tried to reach out to each and every voter in the wards. Candidates did not want to lose a single vote, which could lead to their defeat, as 23 wards had straight fights.

The low turnout was largely attributed to no strong contests and the confusion in the electoral rolls, a political observer said.

In the 2021 CCP polls, 70.2% of electors exercised their franchise and Monserrate’s panel secured a win in 25 wards. This time, the minister has set a target to win all 30 wards. The united opposition, under the leadership of Utpal, did not leave a single stone unturned to secure victory in the maximum number of wards of the CCP.

Monserrate said that there was no difference in terms of voting percentage. “Candidates tried their level best to pull out voters from their houses to cast the vote. Whom they voted for, God or they themselves will know. We will come to know whom they voted for on counting day, March 13,” he said and added that the opposition gathered against the party and not Babush.

Utpal said that the turnout in the CCP polls reflected that people were out for a change. “During my 15-day campaign there was a clear undercurrent. The undercurrent reached the ballot boxes. We will see the result. I am happy with the turnout,” Utpal said.

In some wards, supporters of candidates burst firecrackers claiming victory, without the counting of votes.