from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, May 4: Goa's countryside is abuzz with campaigning as 185 panchayats in the state prepare to go to polls two days later.

The panchayat polls come less than a month before the elections to the 40-member Goa assembly slated for June 2.

"Fifty-four candidates have already been declared elected unopposed," State election commissioner P M Borkar said.

Now, elections would be held in 1,439 wards with 5,650 candidates in fray. Among them, 477 wards are reserved for women, 180 for STs/SCs and 296 for other backward classes.

Polling would be held in 920 polling stations, he said.

Elaborate security arrangements are in place with two police constables being posted at each polling station who will be supervised by senior officers, Borkar said.

In all, nine lac-odd voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to elect grassroots-level representatives.

Candidates are fighting as independents and by forming their own panels.

Counting of votes will take place on May 7.