Bhubaneswar: Selfie points at model booths during the third phase of election, Tuesday, attracted the attention of the people. Many voters, including first time voters, were seen clicking their photographs after casting their votes. Many voters even shared the photos on social media and encouraged others to vote in the election.
In some booths people were seen helping the voters to beat the heat with cooling drinks post voting. In Municipal Corporation High School, Laxmisagar , a volunteer,Bijay Kumar Mohanty, was seen providing nimbu paani and cold drinking water to people in booth.
Many volunteers from city schools also helped aged voters and the differently abled. They stayed in booths till 6 pm.
SK Nawabuddin a student of Municipal Govt High School said, “We feel privileged in helping the voters in voting and being part of big democratic event.”
Ayushman Rout class XI students said, “Voting is crucial for development of the country and those who don’t vote should not criticise government.”
Sandeep Thakur a city voter said the booth was decorated pretty well. We were greeted at gate by volunteers with a rose. There was a waiting hall with chairs and drinking water. The volunteers guided us to the booth. The polling officials were very well behaved and were guiding the voters with respect. I feel proud to be part of the largest democracy of the world.”
Meanwhile many city voters faced trouble in the booths ‘Gopalkrishna Mishra of Laxmi sagar said his name was not on the voters’ list and thus could not cast his vote. “I had submitted my Aadhar card and had applied for registration but they had not registered my name. I could not vote in this crucial election.”