JOIN USA red carpet welcome, air-conditioners, reception lobby, background music and cool buttermilk greeted voters in five model polling stations here, as part of the new initiative by the election officials to make voting an enjoyable experience.
The unique facilities drew accolades, especially from young and first time voters. Also, to enable voters to identify election officials, presiding officers, polling officers and volunteers were clad in a special dress with their identity cards.
According to a senior official from the Election Department here, these polling stations also had seating arrangements. “The voters have the option to choose either buttermilk or a cup of tea,” the official added.
Vehicles to ferry voters from their home to the polling booth was something to behold at the college of engineering, Guindy, in South Chennai constituency.
“If the polling booth is far, these vehicles could be used by aged, pregnant women and the differently abled,” the official said, adding that the polling stations also had first-aid and medical facilities.
“The basic idea to create such a polling centre is to attract young voters since they show apathy towards elections. In future elections, more such polling stations will be established depending upon the requirement,” he said.
The model polling stations wore a decorated look, including newly-painted interiors and exteriors.
The district election office has spent an average of Rs 70,000 on each model polling station. The country’s first model polling station was set up in nine districts in Delhi for the 2013 Assembly polls.