Goa polls 2017: In a unique bid to woo women voters, authorities set up 'pink' polling stations

Panaji (Goa): With polling going on, Goa is all set to elect its 40 members for the state Legislative Assembly, as the term of current Legislative Assembly ends on March 18, 2017. However, in a unique bid to woo women voters and encourage them to exercise their voting rights ahead of the assembly polls in Goa, the authorities have set up several 'pink' polling booths across the state. The assembly elections for 40 seats in Goa will be held today and results will be announced on March 11. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) notched up a victory in the last assembly polls and removed the Congress from power. In 2017, the ruling BJP-MGP faces a challenge from the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has promised to get 'special status' for the state if it comes to power. The AAP has named former Inspector General of Prisons Elvis Gomes as its chief ministerial candidate. 53-year-old Gomes took voluntary retirement from his government job in July last year and joined the AAP. The ruling BJP has not announced any chief ministerial candidate for the state. For the Congress, the Goa assembly polls are an important opportunity to revive its political fortunes not only in the state, but also at the national-level. Video courtesy: ANI News/YouTube Goa first state to have VVPAT machine Besides having several polling booths which will be having all-women crew, Goa will be the first state which will have Voter-verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine being installed along with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The VVPAT machines help the voters to ascertain that his vote has gone to the candidate whom he has voted clearing off the doubt about authenticity of EVMs. ALSO READ: Goa Assembly election LIVE: State's overall turnout till 11 am- 34% Is Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar planning to return to Goa politics?  Meanwhile, amid speculation that Manohar Parrikar would return to Goa politics, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday kept everyone guessing by describing himself as a “party man” who will work as per the directions of party leaders. However, he went on to add that he was missing “Goan food in Delhi” and people can derive any meaning out of his remarks. “Iske bareme apko Aamitji ne kaha hai, jo kaha hai utna hi mai wapas repeat karoonga (I will repeat what Amitji (Amit Shah) has said on this issue). I am a party-man, let party decide,” he told reporters when asked if he would be the next Goa CM, if his party is voted to power. When pointed out to his remarks that he likes Goan food, Parrikar responded, “I have lost four kg in Delhi, the main reason is food.” “I have not said anything I only said I like Goan food. You can derive any meaning out of it,” he commented. Parrikar, who was amongst the early voters at the polling booth in Panaji constituency, expected the polling to cross 85 per cent mark this time. (With inputs from agencies)