India: City polling booths lack basic facilities

KANPUR: Even when we talk about casting our votes at the certain polling booth, we tend to talk about it with much hint than realism. Sure, we know that voters seek basic facilities at the booth. Despite strict instructions on the part of Election Commission, the booths still lack water and electricity facilities in all the ten assembly constituencies. Out of 3514 polling booths in the district, as many as 57 booths have no electricity connection. As regards proper drinking water arrangement at the polling booths, it is too poor. Cantonment assembly constituency requires drinking water facility at 308 booths, Billhaur at 442 booths, Govindnagar at 349 booths. The list is long.

Though K Singh, deputy district election officer, said every arrangement would be complete before the polling day. Electricity, water, shed, ramp and others must be arranged.

A total of 1398 polling centres have been set up in the city. There were several polling booths which do not have drinking water facility. 92 booths lack ramp for disabled voters, 27 booths do not have toilets, 86 booths require furniture, and 22 booths need telephone connection. A total of 117 polling booths remain deprived of tin shed even.  

Municipal Corporation will look into the arrangements at the polling booths in city areas while Zila Panchayat will make arrangements at rural areas.