Berhampur: Voting began at brisk pace for the Berhampur Lok Sabha polls and the assembly segments within it. Special arrangement has been made for the differently-abled voters who expressed their satisfaction after casting their voted.
It was a good time for women voters also as booths designated specially for them have been put up. These are being called ‘pink booths’. Only women voters are being allowed inside these booths cast their votes.
The turnout so far has been good and all the voters were full of praise for the arrangements made. A couple, both first time voters expressed satisfaction at the arrangement. “It is a great feeling to exercise my voting right,” the man said. “Initially, I was a bit apprehensive because this is the first time I am casting my vote,” said the lady. “However, the arrangements were fantastic and I had no problems in casting my vote. It happened very quickly. Very happy after exercising my rights for the first time,” she added.
Some women, however, were irked after not finding their names in the voting list. The polling officials assured them that he will look into the matter.
Meanwhile, VVPAT machines suffered technical glitches in some booths of the Berhampur Lok sabha constituency. However, the errors were rectified quickly and normalcy returned. Overall a picture of calm prevailed across all the booths which this correspondent visited.
It should also be stated VVPAT machines at the Kuhura and Kantamal booths in Junagarh block in the Kandhmal Lok sabha constituency also malfunctioned and hence voting was stopped for more than 45 minutes. A similar problem cropped up in two booths in the Kalampur block of the same constituency.