Sweets, insignia made by jail inmates for first-time voters, senior citizens

Amit Sharma 

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 19 

In an innovative move, the first time voters and senior citizens above 80 years of age who exercised their right to vote were honored with sweets and insignia that were made by the Burail Jail inmates, at a polling station in Sector 47. 

The polling station at Government High School Sector 47-A, was one of the model polling booths in the city. 

Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) Virat said that in the collaboration with the Burail jail authorities special arrangements were made to honor and encourage the voters. "Sweets made by the jail inmates were purchased from Srijan, the exclusive store of Burail Jail in Sector 22, which were distributed among the first time voters", ARO said. 

Virat further said that the voters above the age of 80 were honored with Open Hand insignias which were also made by Burail jail inmates. "Our main aim was to acknowledge the efforts made by the elderly people who moved out of houses and casted their valuable votes", he added. 

The furniture made by the jail inmates was also put on display at the polling centre. 

The polling station also had a facility of medical assistance, a doctor and his staff was stationed at the polling station to assist the voters in the time of need. Meanwhile, all the voters arriving at the polling stations were given a warm welcome by the NSS volunteers who escorted the voters to the booths. 

As a noble gesture the voters were also offered sweet water while they stood in the queue for their turns.  Officials said that polling booth was decorated with the flex boards and banners to educate people about the right to vote.