Baramulla, May 20: In a positive development, the decision of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to establish pink polling stations, exclusively managed by female staff, during the Lok Sabha elections has brought a sense of empowerment among the female staff deputed for the election duty.
Besides empowering the female staff, the move has also encouraged the female voters to participate in the voting as well.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, a female staffer deployed at a pink Polling Station in Baramulla acknowledged that the move has instilled confidence and a sense of empowerment among the female employees.
“It is a welcome step to recognise the capabilities and contributions of the female staff to the electoral process,” she said.
It is a first of its kind that the Election Commission of India (ECI) set up special polling booths during the elections. These include Pink polling stations, Green polling stations besides other special polling booths as well.
A female employee stationed at a pink polling station in Baramulla expressed her appreciation for this “progressive step.”
“It is encouraging to acknowledge the women employees who were not considered for such assignments in previous elections. Earlier, only male employees were deputed for election duty. But this time, the government has significantly boosted the morale of female employees,” she said.
Around seven pink polling stations were set up in Baramulla district, all fully staffed by women. These stations were distinctly painted in pink, creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for female voters to exercise their democratic rights.
The exclusive female staff ensured a smooth and convenient voting process for women, fostering a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere.
“We felt very comfortable while casting our votes in the Pink Polling station which was manned by female staff. We could easily ask our queries and guidance while casting our votes,” said Ishrat, a female voter from Rafiabad.
Returning Officer (RO) Baramulla parliament constituency Minga Sherpa told Greater Kashmir that the idea behind setting up polling stations was to attract more female voters to participate in voting.
“These women-only manned polling stations in Baramulla were given an attractive design and colour to attract more female voters,” Sherpa said.
He said for the first time women staff was deputed for election duty to encourage female voters and the initiative has seen a good response.
“We hope that in upcoming elections, the number of such pink polling stations will increase so that more women voters get attracted to participate in voting,” Minga Sherpa told Greater Kashmir.
