The Shimoga Zilla Panchayat in Karnataka has unveiled a polling booth that has majestic thrones reserved for voters. The concept proposes that citizens have the ultimate authority in a democracy, and the thrones are meant to symbolise the idea that voters are "kings and queens".
The thrones became a hit with voters as they posed for pictures wearing a crowns after they cast their votes at the polling booth.
Karnataka has 28 Lok Sabha seats and elections in the state are being held in two phases. Voting for 14 seats concluded on April 26 and voting in the remaining 14 began Tuesday morning.
Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India Rajiv Kumar urged people to participate in the Lok Sabha elections in maximum numbers. During an interview with ANI, Kumar said the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections started two years ago.
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"From preparing the border list to preparing polling stations, finding their routes, deployment of forces, finding out vulnerable booths, creating amenities at the booths — light, shade, ramps, minimum facilities... it's a tremendous exercise that started over two years ago," the CEC was quoted as saying by ANI.
Kumar highlighted the importance of voter participation, especially by women and youth, during the general elections. He said the Election Commission has “earmarked electoral rolls for persons with disabilities, 40% and above".
"There is a facility for them to cast a vote from the comfort of their home if they so desire. But our experience is that many of them want to come to the polling station. And we provide them a volunteer, we provide them with wheelchairs, and it's not a question of physical comfort that we provide, it's a question of giving them the due respect and empowerment," he added.