As the denizens of State capital are set to vote in the third phase of the Assembly elections 2019 on December 12, the entire constituencies in Ranchi is busy gearing up for the same. Just like the general elections held earlier in May, the Assembly elections too will have special polling booths prioritising the safety of the female voters.

The capital city has a total of over 17.5 lakh voters. Out of these about 9 lakh are male, 8.4 lakh are female while 65 are transgender voters.

The district administration is also leaving no stone unturned to increase the female voter turnout this election season. Out of a total of 2,771 polling stations in the State capital, 21 booths have been identified as such which will be totally manned by women personnel.

Splitting them up constituency wise Ranchi will have 2, Hatia will have 11 while Kanke will have 8 such polling stations. In the vicinity of these polling stations, smoking and consumption of tobacco will be strictly prohibited.

The major difference between a normal polling booth and a women’s only polling booth is that these special booths will be manned by women staff including presiding officers, polling officers and security personnel. A training session for the women personnel was also held on November 26.

“In Ranchi, this initiative was taken for the first time in the general elections. A definite increase in the percentage of the female voter turnout was observed at these women polling booths and it is being hoped that the same will happen this time as well. It is also a confidence building measure for the women voters to come out and cast their votes,” said District Election Officer (DEO) cum Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rai Mahimapat Ray.

One of the other major reasons, why these booths are being made is also to avoid any untoward incidents. In the past, number of such cases reported has been high in these areas so separate booths have been made this time.

“The booths will not only increase the voter turnout but also empower women and encourage them to be a part of the polling duty. The administration is keen to provide the necessary facilities required for the polling personnel and also increase their partnership and membership,” said an official from the DEO’s office.

The other amenities being provided at these booths will include chairs for the elderly, ramps and wheel chairs for the especially abled while volunteers will also be deputed at such stations in order to assist them.