Campaigning for Goa ZP polls draws to a close

The fortnight-long campaigning for the March 18 Zilla Panchayat polls, which has 192 candidates in the fray, came to an end today.
"The campaigning was peaceful except for five minor complaints that were received by the commission," said Goa State Election Commissioner Dr A Modassir.
This is for the first time the Zilla Panchayat elections in the state are fought on the party lines. BJP has formed pre-poll alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Vikas Party (GVP). The alliance has fielded candidates in all the constituencies.
According to the state election commission, BJP is contesting the polls at 34 places, MGP at nine, while GVP is contesting five seats.

Congress and Nationalist Congress party (NCP) are not in the fray, even as the party leaders are supporting different independent candidates.
Independent legislators, including Rohan Khaunte, Avertano Furtado, Benjamin Silva and Naresh Sawal have also fielded their own candidates.
The polling would be held on 1,209 booths including 628 in North and 581 in South. Counting would be held on March 20.