Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SHS)

Mangalore, Apr 17: It is a common scene on the day of polling - voters queuing up in a line, bearing with the hot sun and wiping out sweat from their foreheads. However, in a laudable gesture, the town municipal of Moodbidri on the directions of election officials has arranged a booth that gives a cosy feel to those who exercise their franchise.

The town municipal has prepared a well-equipped booth, ‘booth number 59’ to attract voters. The booth offers drinking water, seating arrangements and health desk, and what more, it is even carpeted! At first sight, you might as well mistake it for a wedding venue.

A welcome sign that reads, "Welcome to the model booth” greets the voter, doubling his/her enthusiasm to vote. A pendal has been erected to provide shade from the sun. Premises of the booth are equipped with seating arrangement for the voters to sit until their turn comes to press the EVM button. As many as 50 persons may sit at a time in the premises. Drinking water facility is another feature that makes the booth different from the ordinary.

The most eye-catching feature is the health desk placed in the booth with first aid kit attached to the desk. This was added to attend to any voter who may suffer any health issue or discomfort at the polling booth, especially in view of the fact that many of the voters are aged or differently-abled who may need emergency assistance.

"The initiative was supported by the election officials and works were carried out on the direction of one of the officials," says Rayappa, chief official of the town municipal. People of that place conceptualized the idea to reduce the burden on the voters visiting the booth. This booth stands as a model across the district, worth emulating by others in the future elections.

"This move would surprise the 1,341 voters enrolled at the booth. We hope that as the day progresses and thnews becomes viral, more voters will turn up," he said.