Facilities for nursing mothers to make voting easier

A novel idea proposed by the district officials of Dang and Valsad may help mothers to-be and lactating mothers exercise their right to vote, with minimum inconvenience.

They have planned to set up feeding zones at every model polling station. As per the proposal, these stations will be stocked with toys, cradles, milk, fruit and chocolates, with even anganwadi workers to assist the women.

These facilities will be in addition to the 21 guidelines of the model polling station issued by the Election Commission of India, said officials. They also propose to illuminate buildings before polling days and draw rangolis at entrances to attract more voters.

“Moreover, arrangements to ferry senior citizens and the physically challenged to polling booths will also be made,” said an official. They admitted that these steps were being taken to ensure a large voter turnout.

“The proposal is to have such booths with these facilities in five out of seven assembly constituencies of Valsad and Dang,’’ said the official.

“Welcome drinks for senior citizens and the physically challenged would also be part of the facilities at these model polling booth stations, keeping in mind the soaring temperature,  the official added. 

Valsad district, it might be recalled, had been listed as one of the most malnourished areas in the National Family Health Survey conducted by the Union government a couple of years ago.