Goa: Election officials said counting will be completed by 2.30 pm. The votes for 19 constituencies will be counted at Panaji in North Goa, while the tally for the remaining 21 will be carried out in Margao in South Goa. The elections held on February 4 witnessed an enthusiastic response of voters, with polling clocking in at 83 per cent.


The election has five former chief ministers besides the incumbent CM in the fray. The Congress, the prime opponent of the BJP, has fielded four former chief ministers -- Digambar Kamat, Pratapsinh Rane, Ravi Naik and Luizinho Faleiro in their respective constituencies, while the NCP has given a ticket to Churchill Alemao. The main fight expected to be between the Congress and the BJP, while the AAP has also put up a spirited fight on 39 seats.


The BJP has fielded 36 candidates, supporting Independents in Benaulim, Navelim, Priol and Velim. The Congress has candidates on 37 seats and has extended support to United Goans' Atanasio Monserratte in Panaji, Goa Forward's Vinod Palyekar in Siolim and Independent candidate Rohan Khaunte in Porvorim constituencies.


Leads: Cong: 5, Others: 3