E-Paper
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Spirit of democracy flourishes at polling booths in Pune
Even though city recorded moderate turnout, those who did vote crossed all barriers to be there...from old to young, able to disabled and some even on their wedding day made sure to exercise their right to vote
Although Pune witnessed a low voter turnout, the spirit of democracy flourished at the polling booths.
Ninety-nine-year-old Ambutai Thorve from Shukrawar peth said that she has never missed a single election, a claim echoed by 92-year-Kamal Ghanekar. Ghanekar said that he still wants to vote for the next few years and encourage voters to step out for voting.
For Shraddha Bhagat from Laxmi road, the polling day coincided with her wedding day and she decided to first vote and then proceed for her wedding ceremony. Bhagat requested all her relatives and invitees to cast their vote first and then, attend her wedding.
Planting a hope
A volunteer group from the NGO ‘Being’ distributed 2,000 tulsi (basil) saplings to those who voted. The voluntary group called this initiative ‘Trees Grow Democracy’ to spread awareness about the environment.
“As a symbiotic gesture, we thanked voters at their polling booths by giving away a tulsi sapling. We also requested all voters to join us for a plantation drive at Mhalunge village where ‘Being’ volunteers work actively,” said Aditya Shukla, a volunteer in Baner.
Volunteers
At Kalyaninagar, the scouts and guides group from the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim community in Pune were on election duty and volunteered to help senior citizens and persons with disability at the polling station at Dr (Mrs) Erin N Nagarvala School. Children, dressed in their uniforms, guided people to their polling booths.
Confusion galore
Meanwhile, poor awareness about assembly segments and their respective constituencies, left residents living in Undri, Kondhwa and surrounding areas in a state of confusion.
Voters were left confused as they were unaware that their residence fell under the Shirur parliamentary constituency which goes to the polls on April 29. People arrived at the Undri polling booths, enquiring about their names on the voters’ list, and upon detailed enquiry with election officials, the confusion was cleared.
Narayan Lonkar, former corporator, said, “We have sent text messages to maximum number of people, in an attempt to curtail the confusion. Residents must make it a point to keep themselves updated regarding what is happening around them.”
Daljeet Goraya, chairman, Ganga co-operative housing society, Range Hills, said, “The administration should have created awareness in our constituency, regarding the changes made. A number of citizens were left confused which in turn led to the chaos.”
