KUPWARA: In a significant step towards empowering women in the electoral process and adding a unique feature of inclusiveness in the upcoming assembly elections in Kupwara district on October 1st, the District Election Office, Kupwara today conducted the final phase of election training for female poll personnel whose services are being utilized at special Pink Polling Stations in the district.
Training session was chaired by the District Election Officer (DEO), Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan. Addressing the session, the DEO emphasized the vital role of Pink Booths in fostering greater female participation in the democratic process. She said that Pink booths, staffed and managed entirely by women, are designed to promote inclusivity, gender equity in the democratic process and provide a comfortable and secure voting environment for female voters.
She also said that Pink polling stations are very crucial and there is no chance of any error on poll day and it should be ensured that these polling booths operate smoothly and efficiently on Election Day. The DEO directed the female staff for pink Polling stations to get maximum benefits out of this final training session and make these special polling stations more women-friendly which includes creating a welcoming and secure environment, ensuring privacy, and addressing any specific need which female voters might have.
The DEO highlighted the importance of these measures for boosting female voter turnout and empowering women to actively participate in the electoral process. The session covered various aspects of election management, including voter verification, EVM handling, and maintaining transparency, impartiality and strengthening the team bond by contacting each other in advance.
The training concluded with an interactive Q&A, allowing participants to clarify their doubts and discuss potential challenges. During the day-long session, Assembly level Master trainers (ALMTs) delivered exhaustive training and hands-on experience sessions to equip the participating female employees with skills and knowledge to operate poll machinery on the day of elections. In the second session, training was also imparted to the poll staff of youth manned polling stations.
