It came up as a very wise decision of the Election Commission of India with the full support of the administration for setting up polling booths inside the large condominiums in Noida. This sets a classic example of ease of voting for high-rise urban dwellers. We received reporting from the various high-rise societies of Sector-93.
Ballot is Stronger than Bullet
In Eldeco Utopia, by Lata Agarwal – The groundwork for this grand event began well in advance, with the Election Commission (EC) taking proactive measures to ensure a smooth and inclusive electoral process. Voter awareness camps were established at various centers, with Rustam Ali and Mrs. Saira, Booth Level Officers (BLO), leading the way. They kick started the campaign by organizing the first camp in Eldeco Utopia on 2 December 2023, followed by subsequent camps on weekends in January to meet the growing demand.
To address the issue of low voter turnout in urban areas the EC had polling booths in high-rise societies within these cities. Eldeco Utopia was privileged to be part of this mission, with three polling booths numbered 694, 695, and 696. On 21 February, the residents were informed about this development, and the decision was met with widespread appreciation as a significant step towards promoting accessibility and convenience for urban voters.
A crucial meeting took place on 6 March, at the Collectorate in Greater Noida, bringing together all the booth in charges. The District Magistrate, Manish Kumar Verma, conducted an informative audio-visual (AV) presentation, shedding light on various aspects of the electoral process. He provided guidance on searching for names in the voter’s list and emphasized the ease of using the Voter Helpline app. The meeting also addressed the need for polling booths in high-rise societies, the role of Indian postal services, and the crucial deadlines for filling up forms for new voter IDs and corrections. Attendees had the opportunity to raise concerns and seek clarifications. One key message conveyed during the awareness campaigns was that eligible citizens could cast their vote by simply producing one of the 12 prescribed identity documents at the polling booth, even without a valid voter ID card.
The hard work and dedication of the BLOs and booth in charges were evident as they tackled the herculean task of amending the old voter’s list. Many voters belonged to Gejha village, presenting a unique challenge. Despite this hurdle, the teams persevered and prepared final lists for all three booths, ensuring that no eligible voter was left out. The next step involved the door-to-door distribution of voter slips, a task accomplished with the assistance of tower guards who played an instrumental role in facilitating the process.
Finally, the day of polling arrived, on 26 April. Booths were set up in the club house, opening their doors promptly at 7 am and welcoming voters until 6 pm. To ensure the smooth conduct of the polling process, each booth in Eldeco Utopia had a dedicated team of four officials. These officials were entrusted with the responsibility of managing the entire process for approximately 1330 voters. Their presence and expertise helped maintain order and efficiency throughout the day. In addition to the officials, numerous volunteers such as Kiran Kumar Singh, Babita Jain, Amitabh Aggarwal, Mrs. Santosh, Mrs. Alpa, Sushma Garg, Sudha Singhal, Seema Singh, Hina Lakhani, Lata Agarwal, and many more, dedicated their time and efforts to facilitate the electoral process. They worked tirelessly to help voters find their names in the voter’s list, provided information about their booth numbers, and guided them to their respective polling booths.
The efficiency of the process was evident as the voting procedure proceeded smoothly. Some non-resident voters arrived for which the society had made a nice security arrangement for. They were issued visitor tags as a means of identification that ensured they did not move around the Utopia complex and cast their votes at the designated polling booths. A general guideline of only allowing essential services was circulated via various forums to avoid disturbances. The presence of the police force since 6 am ensured the maintenance of law and order throughout the polling process. A photo booth/selfie point set up on site encouraged residents to see voting as a joyous celebration of their voting rights. Eldeco Utopia witnessed an impressive overall voter turnout of 59%, exemplifying the dedication and enthusiasm of its residents in shaping the future of their nation.
Message to the Esteemed Readers: ‘Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world and vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have.’
Paradigm Shift in Voter Convenience
In Siver City, by Nandini Arya – In a unique turn of events, the residents of Silver City experienced a revolutionary change in the election process, with the introduction of an on-site polling booth. This innovative approach not only catered to the needs of aged residents but also provided a convenient and hassle-free voting experience for all. This underscored the importance of making the voting process more accessible to all segments of society.
The decision to host the polling booth within the apartment complex brought unparalleled convenience to the residents of Silver City Apartments. With the voting booth just a few steps away from their homes, residents no longer had to contend with long queues, traffic congestion, or other logistical challenges associated with traditional polling stations.
The successful implementation of an on-site polling booth was a remarkable achievement for the Apartment Owners Association (AOA). It demonstrated their dedication to promoting democratic values and encouraging active participation in the electoral process. This initiative not only set a precedent for other residential communities but also highlighted the power of collective action in bringing about positive change in society.
The convenience of having on-site polling booth in the apartments generated excitement among first-time voters who were eager to exercise their newfound right to vote. For many young residents, casting their vote for the first time symbolized a tangible expression of their commitment to shaping the future of the country.
पार्श्वनाथ सोसाइटी में पोलिंग बूथ
पार्श्वनाथ सोसाइटी, सुषमा जैन- नोयडा निर्वाचन आयोग की ओर से बहुमंजिला आवासीय सोसाइटियों में पहली बार वोट डालने के लिए पोलिंग बूथ बनाये गये। हमारी सोसाइटी के क्लब हाउस में वोट डालने की सुविधा उपलब्ध कराई गई। मतदान केंद्र दूर होने से बहुत से निवासी मतदान से वंचित रह जाते थे। भीषण गर्मी में वोट डालने आये, सभी लोगो के लिए ठंडे पानी, जूस, लस्सी, चाय आदि की व्यवस्था थी। बुजुर्ग व्यक्तियों के लिए व्हीलचेयर, इ-रिक्शा का भी प्रबन्ध था। पार्श्वनाथ के सभी एक्जीक्यूटिव मैंबर बधाई के पात्र हैं।
