Panaji (GOA): The stage is set for the June 11 elections in 186 village panchayats, with half month long poll campaign coming to an end on Friday evening.

As many as 5297 candidates are in fray in 1452 wards, with nearly seven lakh voters eligible to vote. The counting is scheduled on June 13 at respective talukas.

“The campaigning comes to end from today. The polling will be held on June 11 across 186 village panchayats. The voting will be held through ballot papers. The ballot papers are printed and the same would be dispatched tomorrow to the concern polling officer,” officer on special duty for election Dr Durgaprasad said.

The panchs in 55 have already got elected unopposed.

The elections, which are held within three months of new BJP-led coalition government taking over, saw quite a buzz with ruling as well as opposition MLAs busy canvassing door-to-door for their panels.

The District Administration has identified 70 polling booths as sensitive, hypersensitive and critical areas across the State. In North Goa total 43 polling booths are identified as red zones while 27 in South Goa.

June 11 and 13 will be observed as Dry-days in all those panchayats going for polls. In view of polling and counting, Government has notified that no liquor will be transported from one place to another within the State during those days. Also all the establishments like hotels, restaurants, bars, tea shops, etc within the vicinity of 200 mtrs of polling station in the concerned panchayats are asked to remain close from 6.00am to 9.00pm on the polling day.

Team TNV