Team Herald
PANJIM: To many women across Goa, election 2017 was more than just getting their index finger inked. The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) set up ‘pink polling stations’ in all constituencies that were a major hit as voters came out in large numbers to cast their votes, with these booths recording 2 to 5 percent higher votes compared to other polling stations.
Other than the pink decor at the 40 selected polling booths – one each at every constituency – first time women voters were gifted a pink teddy bear.
“The pink drapes and balloons at the polling booth caught our attention. No one grumbled about standing in the queue for long as the entire ambiance created positivity amongst the voters as well as duty officials,” an official from the CEO office said.
The specially-designed polling booths were set up to woo women voters to exercise their franchise, though male voters also cast their votes there. Interestingly, the polling stations were fully staffed by women polling officers and women armed security personnel.
Gifting of the teddy bear was another reason that excited many first time voters to the polling booths. “It’s a good initiative to draw the attention of voters. Women voters are happy to receive this respect,” said Nita S, a post graduate student who voted for the first time, as she stepped out of the booth holding her ‘gift’.
“The entire polling station has been decorated as if there is a party and I going back (after casting the vote) with a return gift (teddy bear),” said an excited Saima Nayak.
CEO Kunal said the gift is a token of gratitude and the office’s way of expressing support to women empowerment. North Goa Collector Nila Mohanan said polling officials received full cooperation from voters in these booths.
