Token system, waiting area, LCD screens please voters at model polling stations

Facilities provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI) at the 100-odd model polling stations were a hit with the voters. 

At select stations, voters were issued tokens so that they didn’t have to wait in queue. There was also a waiting area, drinking water, etc. Outside some stations, LCD screens were installed, on which the polling process was being streamed live. 

The initiative was seen as voter friendly, although few made use of it while scores of others were simply unaware about it. The token system was received well, especially in the morning. 

“We were able to convince the voters to use the token system during early morning hours when there was heavy rush. People happily got the tokens and sat in the waiting area,” a constable deployed at the National Games Village polling station in Koramangala said. But as the day progressed and the crowd thinned, many voters simply walked in and cast their votes, he added. 

At this polling station, which had 954 registered voters, 106 voters made use of the token facility. Voters also received help from other quarters. A software firm had set up a computerised help desk to assist the voters in finding their names in the voters’ list. 

At a polling booth in Tilaknagar, voters were provided with seating arrangement and drinking water under a canopy. While some used the facility, others preferred to stand in the queue. 

Just outside the Rani Saraladevi Educational Institute polling booth, an LCD screen was placed, which live-streamed the polling progress inside. The facility proved useful as voters chose to wait in the seating area before their turn came. The facility was also available at the Carmel Public School in HSR Layout.