Panaji, Apr 23 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Governor Mridula Sinha, Union Minister Shripad Naik, MP Narendra Sawaikar, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar and former Chief Minister Francisco Sardinha cast their votes on Tuesday. Celebrate democracy and participate in its greatest festival, elections, Goa Governor Mridula Sinha said after casting his vote.

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"We are the world's biggest democracy and this is the biggest festival of democracy. Like you celebrate your festivals, participate in this festival too and please come out and vote. It is your right, exercise it," Mridula Sinha said after voting at a polling booth at the government primary and high school at Dona Paula near Panaji.

Chief Minister was first among all the leaders to cast his vote. He cast his vote at Government Primary School, Kothambi, in Sankhali constituency. Governor Mridula Sinha cast her vote at Government Primary and High School, Dona Paula. Union Minister Shripad Naik cast his vote at Government Primary School, Sao Pedro, while MP Narendra Sawaikar cast his vote at Government Primary School Khadpabandh, Ponda. Twelve aspirants are in the fray for two Lok Sabha seats -- North Goa and South Goa -- and 16 candidates are contesting three Assembly by-polls -- Mapusa, Shiroda, and Mandrem. The polling started at 0700 hrs in the morning and will end at 1800 hrs in the evening.

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