No mobile signal, no problem: Pune district to use ‘runners’ for sharing polling station updates
Maharashtra Assembly Polls: Pune District Collector Confirms Preparedness For Vote Counting Day
To ensure smooth communication on polling day, November 20, the Pune district election office has decided to use ‘runners’ at 37 polling stations in remote and hilly areas with no mobile connectivity. These polling stations are in underdeveloped locations where mobile companies lack infrastructure due to challenging terrain.
Authorities considered installing temporary mobile towers, but telecom companies declined, citing geographical constraints. Police wireless systems like walkie-talkies were also tested, but they failed to work beyond 100 meters from the polling stations. As a result, the administration opted for a traditional ‘runners’ system.
Pune district has 21 constituencies, including eight in Pune city, three in Pimpri-Chinchwad, and ten in rural areas. Of the 8,462 polling stations set up for the district’s 8.8 lakh voters, 37 stations in Bhor, Khed Alandi, and Ambegaon constituencies need the runners due to poor communication infrastructure.
Each polling station will have two runners. One will stay at the polling station, while the second runner will travel to a designated point with mobile connectivity to relay updates via telephone. The relay system will ensure the exchange of critical information and instructions on polling day.
Updates from the polling station will be shared hourly. The runner will collect the information and reach the connected point to share data, which will also be entered on an online app to keep officials informed. Local police patils and kotwals have been appointed as runners.
This system aims to maintain a seamless election process, allowing voters in remote areas to cast their ballots without communication-related disruptions. The arrangement ensures that election officials receive timely updates, even from difficult-to-reach polling stations.
