Sakhi booths to be set up to attract women voters: CEO

BHUBANESWAR: To attract more women voters to polling booths, Election Commission is planning to set up 'sakhi booths' in areas where less women voted during the previous elections. These model booths will be all women with women staff conducting the process. In the state, the staff in these booths will wear Odisha handloom.

"The participation of women voters in the past elections will be the first criterion for selection of places to set up sakhi booths. With all-women booths in their locality, more and more women will feel encouraged to come out and vote. Every vote counts, and we would try to ensure that each voter must take part in this festival of democracy," said chief electoral officer (CEO) of Odisha Nikunja Bihari Dhal.

Sources at the CEO office said in every district at least 20% polling booths will be model booths which will include all-youth managed polling stations, PWD managed polling stations ad and around 10 per cent sakhi or all-women managed polling stations.

"The process has started and the exact number of sakhi booths to be set up in the state has not yet been decided. Earlier, these booths were known as pink booths. This year, the staff in these booths have been asked to wear Odisha handloom on the polling day, though they can wear whatever they feel like," sources said.


Explore the yearly horoscope 2025 for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces zodiac signs. Spread love this holiday season with these New Year wishes, messages and quotes.