Haryana: ECI sets up eight 'pink booths' to encourage women voters

A day before assembly polls, authorities in Gurugram are confident of conducting a smooth polling process. In the four assembly constituencies of Gurugram district, around 1.2 million voters will determine the fate of 54 candidates.

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Only women staff

Speaking about the arrangements, District Deputy Commissioner, Amit Khatri said, "Pink booths, which are manned by only women staff will also be present. Our intention is to provide a pleasurable voting experience to all concerned and people do not face any issues during the polling process. We are fully prepared according to the guidelines laid out by the Election Commission. Three-layer security will be provided to all strong rooms consisting of Central Armed Police Forces, Armed police as well as local police," he added. Around 1,172 polling booths will be there in Gurugram district. 44 zonal magistrates have been deployed to monitor the polling process. The assembly election results will be declared on October 24.

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Encouraging women voters

The 'pink booths' have been a part of the Elections for a while now. They were present in the 2018 Karnataka elections and also during the Union Elections in April and May as well. The pink booths are completely handled by women, including security personnel. The booths are set up in order to encourage women to come out and vote and also for ease of voting. In Sikkim during the Union Elections, 30 such pink booths were set up, claimed R Telang, Chief Electoral Officer of Sikkim. 

As per reports on the Election Commission of India (ECI) website, 29,41,02,631 women voted in the Union Elections out of a total of 61,36,56,298 voters, which makes up a healthy 47.93% of the total voters. In Haryana, 45.67% of the total voters were women, whereas in Maharashtra, 45.93% of the total voters were women. In the 2014 Union Elections, 46.95% of total voters were women. 

(With Inputs from ANI)

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