Adorned polling stations offer a fresh experience to voters

Special polling stations in Kulgam set up for the Assembly Elections 2024 were adorned with beautiful banners and makeshift frames, giving a different feeling to voters coming to exercise their franchise. Among the 372 polling stations in Kulgam, with three assembly constituencies, each constituency had five special polling stations, each with a different name and concept behind their setup, as instructed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Women-Manned Polling Station: The women-manned polling station, also called the Pink Polling Station, was set up at Government Higher Secondary School, Kilam in the Devsar Constituency, and was one of three such polling stations in Kulgam district.
As the name suggests, the pink polling stations are fully manned by women – from the presiding officer to polling officers and officials, all are women. According to the ECI, the idea behind having a pink polling station is an initiative committed to gender equality and greater constructive participation of women in the electoral process.
A selfie point with a board reading, “All women polling station – Empowering women; empowering nation – we go pink, we go to the polls,” was also set up to attract voters. The entry to the booth had a red-carpet-style entrance, and from the main gate, pink flags were displayed to give it the feel of a special polling station.
PwD-Manned Polling Station: A special polling station fully manned by Persons with Disabilities (PwD) was set up at Government Middle School, Arigatnoo in Damhal Hanjipora (D H Pora) constituency, and was similarly unique. PwD-manned polling stations were also set up at Govt High School, Kanipora in Kulgam constituency, and at Govt Middle School, Khargund in Devsar constituency, besides the one at Arigatnoo.
The idea behind these special polling stations is “Empowering persons with disabilities” and “Making elections accessible for persons with disabilities.”
The boards welcoming voters to the PwD polling station had a banner made of handmade crewel, handcrafted by local artisans. Rising Kashmir has also previously reported about these handmade banners and the center where this crewel artwork is made.
Green Polling Station: The “Green Polling Station” at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Kulgam was designated as a special polling station with green-colored walls, green balloons, green garlands, and greenery from plants outside the lawns. The idea of housing a green special polling station at the school was fitting, and it lived up to its name of “Green.”
Two other green polling stations were designated at Government Higher Secondary School, K B Pora in D H Pora constituency, and at Government Middle School, Agroo in Devsar constituency.
The green polling stations promote an eco-friendly environment as a way to conduct sustainable elections and embrace eco-friendly practices during the election process.
Unique Polling Station: Three unique polling stations were set up in Kulgam district, one in each of the three constituencies – Govt Middle School, Halan in D H Pora constituency; Primary School, Kutbal in Kulgam constituency; and Govt Middle School, Panchgam in Devsar constituency.
These unique polling stations were established in tribal areas to attract voters to participate in the democratic process.
Youth-Manned Polling Station: The youth-manned polling stations were fully managed by younger staff, an idea aimed at engaging youth in the electoral process as both voters and officials.
These youth-manned polling stations were located at Govt Higher Secondary School, Manzgam in D H Pora constituency; Govt Middle School, Amnoo, in Kulgam constituency; and at Govt Higher Secondary School, Devsar in Devsar constituency.
Waheed Ahmad, a youth who cast his vote at a youth-manned polling station, said he was pleased to see a special polling station fully managed by young people. He said the idea gave him new energy and enthusiasm and that it generated hope in him to one day work as a polling booth staffer in the future.
“I request the youth to come and cast their votes and take part in the festival of democracy by electing the representatives of their choice,” he said.