PANJIM: On Monday evening, the curtains came down on the intense campaigning for the August 10 elections, scheduled across 186 panchayats. The election process has reached the crucial silent period of 48 hours that will culminate with the polling on Wednesday. 

During this period, which usually begins 48 hours before voting day and ends after polling ends, no active campaigning by the candidates or political parties is allowed, and television or any digital media cannot carry any election-related matter. 

With the campaign process ending at 5 pm, Section 144 of CrPC has come into force in both the districts - North and South Goa, covering the poll-bound panchayats, wherein the assembly of five or more persons (including contesting candidates and workers) will be deemed unlawful. The Section will remain in force till the polling process ends. 

Simultaneously, there can be no processions or rallies under the garb of house-to-house visits or corner meetings. The State Election Commission (SEC) will be closely monitoring the silence period, said SEC’s deputy director Sagar Gurav. 

Though the elections are not fought on party lines, several MLAs, both from the ruling and opposition sides, have fielded their panels in their respective constituencies and were seen canvassing aggressively. The local body elections are also a prestige issue for the ruling MLAs from the constituencies to retain their popularity among the voters, following their victory in the Assembly elections held in February this year. 

With the end of campaign trails, the stage is set for polling across 1,464 wards, wherein 5,038 candidates will be battling against each other to gain power. A total of 64 candidates have 

already been declared elected unopposed. Nearly eight lakh voters will exercise their franchise to elect new panchayat bodies in 186 villages. 

North Goa, comprising 97 panchayats, has a maximum of 742 wards, whereas in the South, elections will take place in 722 wards across 89 panchayats. 

The voting will be held through ballot papers. The indelible ink mark will be put on the left forefinger of every voter. Voters will have to produce an ID document at the polling station to cast their votes. 

Voting will take place across 1,566 polling booths placed at 1,049 locations. 

The State will observe dry days from Monday evening till midnight on Wednesday. All liquor shops, bars and restaurants have been directed not to serve or sell liquor during the period. 

All establishments located within 200 m of the polling booths will remain shut on August 10, which has been declared a public holiday. 

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