free-polling-day-rides-for-ranchi-voters

In a bid to boost voter turnout in Ranchi’s urban areas, the district administration has partnered with a bike-taxi aggregator to offer free pick-and-drop services for voters, an official announced on Saturday.

The initiative covered 181 polling booths across Ranchi, part of the 2,377 polling stations set up for the Ranchi Lok Sabha seat election. Of these, 949 booths were urban and 1,428 were rural.

Sumit Kumar, a voter, praised the initiative, saying, "I appreciate the Ranchi administration for providing free pick-and-drop service during the election. I simply used the 'vote now' code on the Rapido app and got a free ride from home."

Jay Kumar Gaur, Rapido Jharkhand Head, stated, "Around 800 motorbikes were deployed to transport voters. This service aimed to increase voter turnout by making it easier for people to reach polling stations."

Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) Utkarsh Kumar highlighted the administration's efforts to ensure a smooth voting experience. "We have implemented various measures to facilitate hassle-free voting. Besides setting up five model booths and one unique booth, we ensured basic facilities like drinking water and sheds at nearly all polling stations."

He added that the bike-taxi service significantly contributed to these efforts. "Our overall aim is to increase voter turnout this election," he said.

The Ranchi Lok Sabha seat recorded 64.49% voter turnout in 2019, 63.68% in 2014, 44.56% in 2009, and 55.69% in 2004. The constituency has a total of 21.88 lakh voters, including 10.80 lakh women voters. This election sees 27 candidates vying for the seat.