The Election Commission of India is taking initiatives to set up polling booths within multi-storied housing complexes. This time, the Election Commission will appear at the doorstep to collect the votes of voters residing in the multi-storied housings. During the covid period, the Election Commission had made arrangements for door-to-door vote collection for the elderly voters. This time, the Commission has taken a new step for the benefit of the voters. As per the previous proposal, the Commission has decided to set up polling stations in residential complexes. Residents of multi-storey buildings in every district of the state can get this opportunity but only if certain conditions are met.
On Friday, the Election Commission sent a letter to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer of the state asking the DEOs of each district of the state to complete the reorganisation of polling stations by December 4. In the letter Commission has also mentioned that in case of group housing societies or multi-storeys, suitable rooms such as community halls should be provided on the ground floor for the purpose of setting up polling stations. The commission has also asked the state CEO's office to inquire whether there is a provision to set up a polling station on the ground floor of a school in the adjacent area of the residential area or the society. After the survey, if the building is found to be suitable, the DEO of the concerned district will direct the senior officers involved in the election work to be present and verify all aspects. In addition, the District Election Officers shall also monitor the minimum facilities required for setting up booths in these premises.
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Lastly, the Commission has said that if it is finalised to set up a booth in a multi-storey building, then the guidelines for setting up one booth for a maximum of 1200 voters will be followed. However, the Commission outlined that during the preparation of the Polling Centres list, the District Election Officer will be responsible for consultation with representatives of political parties and publication of the draft list of Polling Stations.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had opposed the plan to set up polling stations in the residential areas of the state. She also wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. The Chief Minister had said in the letter that booths should always be set up in government or semi-government buildings. If it is set up in a private place, the question of neutrality may arise. There may be an attempt to influence voters. Apart from this, if there is a polling centre in the housing area, the people in the surrounding areas can feel deprived. However, it all depends on the state CEO's office and what they will decide based on the letter of the Election Commission to set up booths in the housing complexes.
