Women took charge of the entire voting process across 201 booths in the Raipur North assembly seat in Chhattisgarh, marking a significant milestone in India’s democratic history. According to officials, this initiative is the first of its kind in the country.
The second and final phase of assembly polls covering 70 seats in Chhattisgarh commenced on Friday morning, with the results slated to be declared on December 3.
“For the first time in the country’s democratic history, women will shoulder the entire responsibility of an electoral process in an Assembly segment. There are 201 polling stations in Raipur City North seat, and all are ‘Sangwari booths’ where everyone from the presiding officer to the polling officer are women,” the district administration stated in a release on Thursday.
“With 201 polling centres and all booths having women officers, 804 women have direct responsibilities, while about 200 women have been kept in reserve. The observer for this seat is a woman, IAS officer Vimla R and her Liaisoning Officer is also a woman. Security in most of the booths will also be managed by women personnel,” it added.
Noteworthy is the leadership of Chief Electoral Officer Reena Baba Saheb Kangale, a woman IAS officer, overseeing the electoral process in Chhattisgarh, PTI reported.
In the Raipur North assembly constituency, where women exclusively manage all booths, the release highlights a sex ratio of 1010, underscoring the presence of 1010 women for every 1000 men.
Raipur Collector and District Election Officer, Dr Sarveshwar Narendra Bhure, said that the concept of entrusting the entire responsibility of one assembly seat to women emerged early in the election process.
“It is a historic event when the entire team comprises women. They are confident they will fulfil this important responsibility. Raipur City South segment will also have women personnel at half the booths. It will ensure a significant role of women in the two constituencies,” Bhure said.
(With inputs from PTI)