Why did elderly voters in Pune face issues on election day?

Elderly voters in Pune faced issues due to a confusing ward system, poorly allocated polling booths, and strict identity card requirements.

What were the main problems with polling booth allocation for seniors in Pune?

Seniors were often assigned polling booths far from their homes, and families were sometimes split across different voting locations.

Were there strict ID requirements for voting in Pune?

Yes, strict identity card requirements prevented some elderly citizens from voting, even with a voting slip and a photocopy of their ID.

Home / Lifestyle / Elderly Voters Face Poll Booth Chaos in Pune

Elderly Voters Face Poll Booth Chaos in Pune

16 Jan

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Summary

Seniors encountered confusing poll systems and distant booths.
Haphazard booth allocation separated families on election day.
Strict ID rules prevented some elderly citizens from voting.

Elderly Voters Face Poll Booth Chaos in Pune

On Thursday, many of Pune's elderly citizens, known for their high electoral enthusiasm, faced considerable challenges. A confusing ward system, coupled with poorly allocated polling booths and strict identity verification, left numerous seniors unable to cast their votes. Haphazard assignment of polling stations often split families across different locations, requiring multiple visits to distinct centers. This mismanagement significantly discouraged voters, especially those with mobility issues or who found the distances to their designated booths prohibitive.

For some, the issue was distance; an elderly resident from Handewadi was assigned a booth nearly 12 km away and found herself in a different ward than expected. Others encountered barriers with documentation, being denied the vote with only a photocopy of their Aadhaar card. Despite these hurdles, many demonstrated unwavering civic duty, walking or traveling by two-wheeler to find their correct polling stations and express their views.