Panaji: In a first, model ‘pink booths’ have been set across the 40 constituencies where first-time female voters will be given a teddy bear for casting their vote.
According to media reports, the state has 32,354 first-time female voters of which the Election Commission has mapped the 327 voters who will vote in the 40 designated ‘pink booths’.
These polling booths also underwent a temporary makeover, adorned with pink balloons and paint. The staff at these booths were also requested to wear pink if possible, said the report. Additionally, the booths will only have women personnel and security
While the initiative has already received mixed response, with a few slamming it as ‘sexist’, officials said that it is the electoral office’s way of supporting women empowerment.
“We understand it is an egalitarian society but symbols stand out,” officials were quoted as saying.
Goa’ electoral office, also had identified the differently-abled voters to arrange transportation for them, enabling them to cast their vote. In a list of firsts, this year was also the debut of the Electronic Transferable Postal Ballot System in Goa where 831 ballot forms were sent online to Goan service personnel spread across the country. It is also the first state where polling will be webcast.
The total expenditure for the polls has already touched Rs 40 crore.
