All 31 polling stations in Mahe, an enclave of Puducherry in Kerala, will be manned by women in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The Chief Electoral Officer’s office stated that the decision was made due to the large number of women voters in the Mahe region. The aim is to ensure better conduct of the polls by having women staff exclusively manning the polling stations. This initiative is part of a plan to establish ‘model polling stations’ in the Union Territory. The CEO also held a meeting with the contesting candidates, booth agents, and representatives of political parties to discuss the arrangements for the Lok Sabha polls.
The Union Territory of Puducherry has a total voter strength of 10,23,699, with 967 polling stations set up across the territory. The release mentioned that voter information slips containing voters’ details and their assigned polling stations will be distributed to voters from April 5 to April 14. The election authorities will provide dummy Braille ballots for visually-impaired voters, and they will also be allowed to have a companion while voting. Facilities like creches will be provided for women with babies who come to the polling booths. Additionally, physically challenged government staff will oversee one polling booth in each Assembly constituency.
On the polling day, April 19, it will be a paid holiday for staff, workers, and employees in government undertakings, educational institutions, commercial establishments, and industrial establishments. The release emphasized that no worker or staff should be pressured to come to duty on that day, and any directives to do so would be considered an offense.
