MODELL POLLING STATIONS IN CAPITAL

Decked up polling booths, battery- powered rickshaws, medical facilities were able to attract voters to exercise their franchise in Delhi during the general elections here today. These arrangements at 70 Model Polling Stations (MPS) across the city were set up to give electorate a pleasant voting experience, also drawing appreciation from many. "These kind of arrangements are necessary for people like us. I am happy with the facilities being provided," said 78-year-old Saifuddin who entered in a wheelchair at the Vishwasnagar model polling station in East Delhi constituency. For the elders and disabled, wheel-chairs and e-rickshaws were available to ferry them from the entrance gate to the polling booths. An attendant to escort disabled persons was also deployed at these MPS. Saifuddin's 55-year-old son Nizamuddin said wheelchairs are very important for disabled people like his father and that the initiative is heart-warming. "Good to see that wheelchairs have been provided to disabled people. It is heart-warming. Thanks to Election Commission," he said. Senior citizens were more than excited to board the e-rickshaws at one of the model stations in Lakshmi Nagar in East Delhi constituency. Medical assistance, including first-aid and ambulance services, were also kept ready at the booths. "East Delhi Municipal Corporation had partnered with the EC in providing medical services at these model stations. We have emergency medicines at our disposal and ambulance-on-call services to help the voters," said Dinesh Sharma, one of the EDMC staff. 
There was a separate waiting area for voters at the booths, free water for everybody, flowers and red carpet laid out at the entrance. Help desks were set up inside the stations for a hassle-free voting experience. "Overall, I am happy with the arrangements. EC authorities have done a good job by making such arrangements for voters," said Anchal Priya, a housewife at one of the polling booths in East Delhi constituency. "We walked on the red carpet escorted by poll duty officials to the EVMs. Comfortable seating arrangements were made. It was really a caring initiative on the part of the Commission," said Suresh Sharma, 42, who cast his vote at a model polling booth in New Delhi constituency. "Voting was a pleasant experience this time. The booth was clean, with proper lighting and ventilation. There was proper arrangement of drinking water, clean toilets and seating arrangements," said 70-year old Meena Joshi, a resident of Vasant Kunj. "The idea was to boost the voter turnout and offer a pleasant experience to electors," said Delhi's CEO Vijay Dev.