Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: With campaigning for the 40 Assembly seats in Goa concluding on Saturday, the state will go to the polls in a single-phase tomorrow (February 14).
The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is being challenged by Congress, Trinamool Congress and Aam Admi Party (AAP) in a multi-cornered electoral contest in Goa.
A total of 301 candidates from different political parties are in the electoral fray in Goa.
The polling for 40 assembly constituencies will be held across 1722 polling stations. Nearly 11.56 lakh voters will exercise their right to vote. The counting is scheduled for March 10.
Electioneering initially remained low-key due to certain curbs imposed by the ECI in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the norms were eased, campaigning picked up.
The campaign for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah championing the saffron party’s cause and other Union Ministers and top BJP leaders.
Congress star campaigners included Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other senior leaders.
Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) campaign is led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
New entrant Trinamool Congress Party in alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, is contesting 39 seats.
Shiv Sena’s Maharashtra Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray also campaigned for the party.
Independent candidates, too, were seen in action focusing on door-to-door campaigns.
With a silent period, the enforcement agencies have pulled up their sleeves to check on code violations and distribution of freebies, cash, liquor and other items by candidates or political parties to lure the voters.
The polling will begin at 7.00am on February 14 and will end at 6.00pm. The last one-hour polling will be restricted to COVID patients.
Comment