Student volunteers help voters at Adarsh, Sakhi polling booths

Student volunteers were seen guiding voters, especially elderly persons, from the entrance to the polling booths at “Adarsh” and “Sakhi” polling booths here. The administration had established these booths with the aim of increasing polling percentage by providing voters with various facilities.

Two “Adarsh” polling booths and “Sakhi” units were set up besides one Divyang booth in the segment. The “Sakhi” booth, an all-woman facility, was set up at the Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 12-A. Student volunteers were standing at the entrance, greeting voters and also helping elderly persons locate their booth. The differently abled and aged, requiring wheelchairs, were taken by the young volunteers inside and some could be seen helping them get their voter slips from the agents outside the station.

“The ‘Sakhi’ and ‘Adarsh’ polling stations were a major attraction for voters and they felt happy seeing it decorated with balloons and rangoli. These stations also have special facilities for the specially abled and the elderly,” said an official.

Booth 80, designated as Divyang unit, at the Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 6, was another attempt by the authorities to enhance inclusivity and empower the differently abled. The station was managed by physically challenged staff. The road to the school, which was already not very wide, had party booths on one side, leaving little space for vehicles coming from both sides to pass at the same time.

The Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, which housed the polling booth 69 and 70, designated as Adarsh units, were all decked up and had special selfie points, especially for first-timers.