Girlie pink to youth-managed to cream-rolls & poll-theme selfie point: Kasba’s booths win hearts

As the hours passed, police and other voters became used to people requesting them to “take a picture”. Similar scenes played out across the city as Pune residents stepped out to exercise their democratic rights in the Assembly elections on Wednesday. Senior citizens, professionals and first-time voters shared their experiences, elaborating on their expectations from the government. Ahilyadevi Girls’ High School was one of the many themed booths in Kasba.

Another, the PWD polling centre in Sadashiv Peth, was also buzzing through the day. Anita Gulab Kharpudve, 57, expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the democratic process, though with reservations about the electronic voting machines (EVMs). Comparing it with the traditional paper ballot system, she said, “We don’t believe in this EV machine. Earlier, we used to have a stamp and paper, which was the best method.” Kharpudve, who works at Sharmit Mahila Mandal near Dandekar Pool, echoed the sentiments of many voters who were nostalgic about the manual system.

Dr Mukun Wagh, 90, was excited to cast his vote at the PWD booth. “I’ve voted many times but this time the level of excitement is totally different due to the politics playing out in the state, which makes the election interesting in itself. Today, as I arrived at the centre, officials came to help me with the wheelchair and took me upstairs to help me with the voting process. EC authorities are very helpful to senior citizens which I liked the most,” he said.

SP College was designated as a youth-managed polling centre and a small queue was seen as soon as voting began. Many voters, the streak of ink fresh on their fingers, took a short walk to the other side of the college where the Grahak Peth Cooperative Society, Tilak Road, was offering free tea and cream rolls to voters before 11 am. The heritage building of Prarthana Samaj in Budhwar Peth was designated as the unique polling centre, where friendly staff helped the elderly and guided those who were confused about directions. Radhika Phule, 69, said, “Officials are providing facilities to senior citizens, and not making us wait for a long time. They are very co-operative, which we never noticed earlier.” Shashikat Bokhil, 80, a retired officer, commended the smooth voting process facilitated by EVMs.

“The EVM is the best way to vote as compared with the paper-stamp process because of its long process,” he said.

Tilak Ayurvedic Vidyalay in Rasta Peth was designated as a model polling centre and equipped with facilities such as ‘hirkani kaksha’ or a room for mothers who want to feed their child or rest a while. Wheelchairs were provided to senior citizens to walk, among other facilities. Chaya Sonawne, 52, a homemaker, who voted here called for meaningful change through voting.

“Voting is our chance to demand change. Women’s safety is a serious issue, and we need campaigns that focus on real solutions,” she said.

One place with the highest concentration of voters during lunchtime was the iconic Vaishali restaurant on FC Road. True to the mood, there was an election-themed selfie booth that was almost as big a hit as the food.