In an aim to create a 'festival-like environment' on polling day, the poll authorities in Srinagar district have prepared 32 theme-based polling booths which are colour-coordinated as per its message.
Lok Sabha elections in Srinagar are scheduled for the fourth phase on May 13th for which the polling booths have been arranged in vibrant themes to encourage inclusivity and engagement among voters.
Pink, red, and blue - the polling booths have been prepared as per the themes of women voters, PwD voters, and young voters. Additionally, eight polling booths are dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability.
The 32 polling stations will have vibrant and colourful message boards, so that voters experience a festival-like environment, besides promoting participatory and inclusive voting in Srinagar, said Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, District Election Officer (DEO), Srinagar.
"The District Election Office, Srinagar has made polling stations colourfully vibrant, conveying special messages regarding women, persons with disabilities, (PwD) and the youth, besides (making) environmentally-viable and sustainable polling stations," he said.
Bhat, who is also the Returning Officer of Srinagar parliamentary constituency, said that eight pink polling stations have been established for women in different areas of Srinagar – from Hazratbal, Anchar to Central Shalteng.
He said these polling stations would be managed by an all-women staff, comprising booth-level officers, presiding and polling officers, police, and security forces.
The polling stations have the women-centric theme to drive home the point that women are capable of discharging duties in any sphere of life, Bhat said.
Bhat said eight red polling stations have been set up for persons with disabilities which will be staffed by PwDs.
"These polling stations have been equipped with wheelchairs, ramps, braille script, and other features to infuse confidence into differently-abled to make the voting process a smooth activity for them. The idea is to instill confidence among the section and encourage them to vote wherever they are besides increasing sensitisation about their issues," the DEO said.
Additionally, more than 40 per cent of PwDs have already been allowed to cast votes under ECI's initiative ‘Vote from Home’, he said.
The three-day campaign for home voting which was flagged on May 7 by the DEO concluded Thursday. Eight polling stations have been painted blue across Srinagar district for the youth.
"To foster the cause of environmental sustainability, eight polling stations have been coloured green while plantation activity shall be carried out on the polling day by the first voter," he said adding that the polling stations will be plastic-free.
Nearly 17.50 lakh people are going to decide the fate of the 24 candidates in the fray for the Lok Sabha polls in Srinagar on May 13.
Among these, over two lakh are first-time voters, who are in the age group of 18-20.
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