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Politicians make beeline for Marlem with host of promises

| APRIL 19, 2019, 05:53 AM IST
Politicians make beeline for Marlem with host of promises



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THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA: Alarmed about the planned boycott by over 200 voters of Marlem in Poingunim, politicians made a beeline to the hamlet with a host of promises to the aggrieved villagers.
Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes, who during his first term as Poinguinim MLA, had been instrumental in making arrangements for a solar-powered system to electrify the ward, was among the first politicians to rush to the locality.
After a detailed interaction with the locals, Fernandes said: “I am with these people as they have been demanding their constitutional right for basic needs.”
“Though I accept there are technical and administrative hurdles in tarring the road which passes through Cotigao wildlife sanctuary, the governments took exceptionally long to provide basic necessities to the people, by amending the forest rules.”
“I am told repairs of the dilapidated bridge and tarring of the mud road have been tendered, but people refuse to accept these promises and instead, want concrete action of these works,” Fernandes told The Goan.
According to sources, some BJP leaders also went to the ward and persuaded them to vote for the BJP party at the Lok Sabha polls, amid assurances that the road and bridge would be repaired before the next elections. The voters were reportedly unimpressed with their promises.
“AAP South Goa candidate Elvis Gomes also went to the site to meet with the locals, but his persuasive words to take up their issue before a proper forum also failed to convince the elders,” informed a source.
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EC team visits Marlem to persuade
locals to exercise their franchise
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THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA: Even as Poinguinim Sarpanch Jagdish Gaonkar insisted that all 217 voters from Marlem-Poinguinim would boycott the polls, election officials however claimed they had successfully persuaded the locals to exercise their franchise in the Lok Sabha polls.
According to a report from the government's information department, Chief Electoral Officer Kunal visited Marlem after hearing that villagers had decided not to vote at the Lok Sabha polls.
“The chief electoral officer met the people and interacted with them along with election icon Verma D’Mello, Marienala Dias and Bindiya Vasta Naik.”
“The chief electoral officer patiently attended to their grievances and later convinced them that voting was their right and a sacred duty and therefore, it was necessary to vote to strengthen democracy. They could even use the NOTA option,” stated the information department's report.
“The villagers were happy that the chief electoral officer had visited them and they have now decided to vote during the ensuing elections in full strength.”
“The icons also participated in a dance with the villagers while Bindiya Naik taught them a few songs as well. An EVM and VVPAT demonstration was also conducted for the villagers,” the report added.

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