In an innovative attempt to encourage voter turnout, the Shimoga Zilla Panchayat in Karnataka has unveiled a polling booth featuring majestic thrones reserved for voters. According to ARY News, the polling station aims to depict citizens as royalty, with the thrones symbolizing Kings and Queens.
“Mooting the idea that in a democracy citizens are the lords, the unique polling station has put up thrones for voters depicting them as Kings and Queens,” reported ARY News.
The initiative has garnered positive reactions from voters, who have been posing for pictures on the ‘thrones’ with crowns on their heads after casting their votes at the polling booth.
Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar emphasized the importance of voter participation in the general elections. In an interview with ANI, Kumar stated, “It is essential for voters including women and youth to take part in the elections.”
Kumar also highlighted the efforts made to facilitate the participation of specially-abled and elderly voters in the Lok Sabha election. “We have earmarked in our electoral rolls persons with disabilities, 40 per cent and above,” he said. “There is a facility for them to cast a vote from the comfort of their home, if they so desire.”
“The polling started for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election on Tuesday,” reported ANI.
Karnataka, with 28 Lok Sabha seats, is holding elections in two phases. “Voting for 14 seats concluded on April 26 and the voting in the remaining 14 seats began this morning,” ANI noted.