Maharashtra Leads in Setting Up Polling Booths in 150 High-Rise Apartments for Lok Sabha Elections 

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is pioneering a new approach for the Lok Sabha elections by setting up polling booths in high-rise apartment complexes and housing societies, aiming to increase urban voter participation. Maharashtra takes the lead with 150 such booths planned across Pune, Mumbai, Thane, and Nagpur, spread over five phases starting from Friday, April 19, as confirmed by S Chockalingam, the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra.

Responding to Election Commissioner Sukhbir Singh Sandhu’s call to enhance the voting experience, Chockalingam highlighted the goal of ensuring voters can cast their ballots happily, minimizing long queues. He emphasized the need for a substantial number of voters, ideally 1,200 to 1,500, in an area to open a polling booth.

“A significant effort is being made in urban areas to encourage voting. Residential complexes or high-rise buildings can assist by offering common shared spaces like halls for voting,” said the state’s chief electoral officer, suggesting the initiative could extend to Assembly elections.

Ahead of the April 19 voting phase, measures are being taken to shorten queues. Chockalingam proposed utilizing half of the classrooms in a polling centre as voting booths and the rest as waiting areas, issuing tokens to manage voter flow efficiently.

Municipal corporations have been advised to address parking concerns around polling centres, with parking prohibited within the centres for security reasons. Suitable parking areas nearby are being identified to accommodate voters.

Statewide, over 98,000 polling booths and approximately 5,55,000 personnel are engaged in this endeavour. Numerous NGOs and social organizations are amplifying voter awareness alongside ECI drives.

In a groundbreaking move, the ECI facilitates home voting for the elderly and people with disabilities in the Lok Sabha elections. Official data reveals 52,264 centenarians eligible to vote, along with 6,05,401 individuals with disabilities enlisted in Maharashtra’s voters’ list.