Bihar polls: 'Gulabi gang' at work in red zone

To promote 'woman empowerment', seven model polling booths in the constituency were draped in pink and managed entirely by women

The colour pink was the flavour for electors at seven ‘model’ polling stations on Friday as election officials and security personnel dressed in pink — all women — welcomed them to tastefully decorated pink polling booths.

In a unique initiative to promote woman empowerment and boost women’s participation in voting, these seven booths in Bihar’s Gaya constituency had been chosen by the district administration as model polling stations to be staffed entirely by women officials. The micro observers, the VVPAT (voter-verified paper audit trial) officials, polling agents and security staff were all women. Besides, over the past three days, these stations had been decorated with pink curtains and drapes, and a door-to-door campaign was organised to create awareness.

Five of these stations were in Mahavir High and Middle School, and the other two in Gaya College. Each was equipped with basic medical amenities, wheelchairs for the physically challenged and aged, and a theme park full of toys for children to play with.

The idea behind the initiative, according to officials in the state election commission, was to reassure people about the security measures being undertaken. The region had traditionally been a Naxalism-affected one that normally saw low voter participation, particularly from female electors, said an official. This all-women drive changed the threat perception to a large extent and brought voters out of their homes, he added.

“This was the first time that such an initiative was taken. It was a great experience for all of us; the polling went on smoothly,” Shaheenah Parveen, VVPAT incharge at one of the five booths in Mahavir High and Middle School, told Business Standard over phone.

Asked about the preparation and awareness, Parveen said: “We had started preparing 10-12 days earlier, under the guidance of our district magistrate and state election commission officials. For awareness, we conducted a door-to-door campaign and sent across a strong message, especially to women, that they should come out and cast their votes without any fear; “we are there for your safety”.

On overall voter turnout and women’s voting percentage, Parveen said: “Polling at five ‘model’ stations was higher than the state average in the second phase of the Assembly election. The overall turnout was 60 per cent; women outnumbered men.”

Noorjahan (she uses only her first name), the VVPAT incharge of the two polling booths in Gaya College, said: “The turnout at our booths was 37 per cent. It might sound low but it is not — these poll stations fall in an area where expats form a large part of the electorate; they do not come to vote. The all-women initiative has been a hit; it’s a big thumbs-up to woman empowerment.”