‘Thematic Polling Stations’ To Be Set Up In Hyderabad For TS Assembly Elections; What Does That Mean?
Hyderabad: The upcoming Telangana Assembly elections on November 30 will feature a unique approach with the introduction of ‘thematic polling stations’ across the city. As per the Election Commission of India’s mandate, specific polling stations will be exclusively managed by women, persons with disabilities (PWD), and the youth. This initiative aims to encourage participation from these sections of the electorate, stated GHMC Commissioner and District Election Officer D. Ronald Rose.
“In the women-managed polling stations, all staff, including the booth level officer, will be female. Additional facilities will also be provided for women voters,” he explained.
Similarly, PWD polling stations will be entirely staffed by individuals with physical challenges, ranging from four to five staff members. The polling stations will be equipped with facilities to accommodate officers and staff with disabilities.
Youth-managed polling stations will be entirely run by first-time voters, with an average staff age of approximately 23 years, added Mr. Ronald Rose.
Currently, the plan is to allocate a total of 75 polling stations, or five per constituency, to be managed by women, 15 by persons with disabilities, and 15 by youth. The aim is to potentially increase the number of polling stations managed by physically challenged individuals to 75, depending on staff availability, Mr. Ronald Rose noted.
Regarding the staffing of women officers, there will not be any issues, as a significant number of recruited polling officers are female. A special concession has been made for women polling officers this time, allowing them to return home and come back early on the polling day, rather than spending the previous night at the designated polling stations. This accommodation is made in light of many polling stations in the city being less than favorable for women, with small and inadequate facilities.
However, women designated as presiding officers will not have this option, as they will be responsible for the custody of the polling materials and must stay at the polling stations overnight.
Additionally, an extra facility for polling staff will be transportation provided from various locations to the distribution point. “Previously, transportation was arranged from DRC (Distribution, Reception, Counting) centers to the polling stations. This time, we are making efforts to provide buses from different points in the city so that employees can board at their nearest location,” explained Mr. Ronald Rose.
