Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Mar 13: The counting of votes for the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) elections concluded on Friday at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, confirming a resounding victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party’s ‘Babush’ panel secured 27 of the 30 contested wards, leaving Ami Panjekar’s camp with just three seats.

Polling on March 11 saw a robust voter turnout of 69.07 per cent, with Ward 23 recording the highest participation at 81.94 per cent. A total of 69 candidates contested using traditional ballot papers across 48 booths, with 10 wards reserved for women, 8 for OBCs, and 1 for STs.

The 2021 CCP elections had witnessed a similar BJP sweep, with the Monserrate-backed panel winning 25 wards despite a slightly lower turnout of 70.19 per cent, reinforcing the party’s dominance in Panaji’s civic governance. That victory had cemented BJP’s control over key urban management areas, including infrastructure and waste management.

This year’s decisive mandate strengthens BJP’s stronghold in the coastal capital, while opposition parties continue to regroup for future contests. The 2026 outcome will play a key role in shaping Panaji’s urban policies ahead of the state elections.