Model booths took voters by surprise — both with the presence of facilities for them, at some booths, as well as absence of the same, at others.
As many as 207 model booths were put in place at Ranchi, Khijri, Hatia and Kanke assembly constituencies to provide a better atmosphere to a voter and achieve a higher turnout in Election-2014.
However, model booths located at some places were ‘model’ for namesake which was evident from the bare minimum facilities besides absence of some of the features incidentally conceptualized to aid disabled and elderly voters while they chose the next government. The model that the Election Commission of India experimented in the General Election was limited to providing red roses to first 25 voters and serving sherbets to help them beat summer heat.
“There is no chairs to sit and shade as promised to be the part of model booth. Only roses and sherbets were served. It was ok but it did not look as different as I imagined,” said a voter at IMA Model Booth.
Interestingly, the model booths at the IMA Building was at the mercy of God when there was no medical backup to address medical contingencies on the spot.
“We forgot to take medicine however we were told that the designated ambulance will give us the medicines. We are still waiting for medicines,” said the Auxiliary Nursing Midwife deputed at IMA Building, Maheshwari Bala.
The situation at other model booths was similar to that of an ordinary booth in terms of inconvenience and lack of amenities for an electorate. Absence of ramps to enable old people to reach booths and lack of shade made a voter wonder about the model that the election commission intends to introduce in elections.
“I am braving the sun. What more you want to know about the model envisaged by the commissionIJ” yelled a voter at SS Memorial booth.
Nonetheless, voters at some model booths were ecstatic with the kind of facilities that was provided to them at the booth. Facilities like ramp for elderly, disabled, water and shade to shield oneself from blazing sun were appreciated by youth and old people alike. But for the elderly people the ECI’s step will encourage elderly people most as they do not come out to vote because of health concerns and above all it provides recognition to those who hold the key to the country’s destiny.
“This is a small step in the right direction. I hope slowly it will be implanted at all booths. For the first time government has recognized a voter comes out to vote,” said RN Sharma adding “But the facilities I believe should attract old more than the youngsters”.
Although, facilities like red carpet welcome and Air Condition was absent at other model booths except Administrative Training Institute, it did not dilute the significance of election which was aptly summed by the Governor of Jharkhand Syed Ahmed after casting vote at the Institute.