Telangana Assembly elections: Congress objects to introduction of pink polling booths; says colour represents that of TRS

The Election Commission had introduced as many as 450 “Sakhi” booths during Karnataka Elections held earlier this year, which were entirely pink in colour and were managed completely by women.

Citing that pink is the colour of TRS flag, Congress requested the EC to not introduce pink polling booths in the assembly polls/ Image: File/PTI

New Delhi: The Telangana unit of Congress raised an objection over the introduction of pink-polling booths in the state and requested the Election Commission to not introduce those as pink colour represented the flag colour of the ruling TRS. The Election Commission had introduced as many as 450 “Sakhi” booths during Karnataka Elections held earlier this year, which were entirely pink in colour and were managed completely by women right from the returning officer to the security personnel. Congress spokesperson Sravan Dasoju wrote a letter to the EC, expressing its concern over threat to free and fair elections. The letter stated: ‘We have strong objections on pink colour as it represents TRS' colour. While we appreciate your intention of raising awareness about voting among women voters, we request you not use pink colour as it may influence the voting pattern in favour of TRS which will be detrimental to the free and fair election and the very spirit of democracy is destroyed’, news agency PTI reported. He also pointed out that during the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Elections, the state Election Commission had removed NOTA as the key for it was in pink colour and TRS had raised an objection to it.