BJP candidate Pallavi Dempo casts vote in Goa, faces allegations of Model Code of Conduct violation

Panaji (Goa) [India], May 7 (ANI): Pallavi Dempo, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate contesting from the South Goa Lok Sabha seat, exercised her voting rights on Tuesday, accompanied by her family.
She is contesting against the Congress candidate from the South Goa Lok Sabha seat, Captain Viriato Fernandes.
While speaking to ANI Dempo encouraged the citizens of Goa to participate in the electoral process, emphasizing the importance of voting in a democracy.
"I would like to urge everyone to exercise their democratic right to vote. We will definitely come out with a lead, and we are positive," Dempo said.
However, shortly after Dempo cast her vote, Sunil Kawthankar, Vice President of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer in Altinho, Panaji, Goa, alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
According to Kawthankar's letter, Dempo violated the code by appealing to voters at polling booth No. 15 of the 11 Panaji Assembly Segment to vote for the BJP. The Congress party has requested immediate action on this matter to ensure fair conduct during the election.
"This is to bring to your notice that Smt. Pallavi Dempo BJP candidate for 02 South Goa Parliamentary Election has committed violation of Model Code of Conduct by appealing voters from polling booth No 15 of 11 Panaji Assembly Segment to vote for Bhartiya Janata Party," the letter read.
Goa Congress President Amit Patkar also cast his vote at Ravindra Bhavan's polling booth in Curchorem. Patkar urged the people to turn out in large numbers to "protect Goa."

In a social media post on X, Patkar shared his appeal, stating, "Humble appeal to all Goans to kindly VOTE and strengthen the democracy of INDIA."
Goa is witnessing a high voter turnout of 30.94 per cent. Maharashtra is still lagging at 18.18 per cent turnout till 11 am.
The South Goa Lok Sabha constituency along with North Goa parliamentary constituencies is voting today during the third phase of the 2024 elections. The results for this constituency will be declared on June 4. (ANI)