I started from our home around 2:30 in the afternoon in bike, taking the booth slip and the voter's id. I was informed in home that the bike has to be parked at a distance and then go by walk to the polling booth. I reached the place in 5 minutes, parked the bike near the school-where the booth was- and went inside.
There was only one person standing the queue and for another person the formalities like verifying his identification, applying ink in his left fore-finger was going on. He was a young man, should be doing his first year college, and this should be his first voting experience. He then went to the table where a lady in black-saree was seated, the second polling officer - instead of going to the voting cabin-and told her something.
The second polling officer then told in a loud voice "I do not wish to vote", probably repeating what the guy told to her. All the officers (that's how they call themselves) on election duty sitting there stopped their work abruptly and looked at him. The primary polling officer, a lady in green saree, asked him "Then why did you come here???"
He gave no reply and he again told his stand "I do not wish to vote", without any expression on his face. It was very clear that he lost all his confidence in our democracy. The green saree officer immediately dialed some number on her mobile and started talking to someone - probably her senior officer. Two more officers also started talking to someone on their mobile phones, trying to get instruction on how to handle this.
The do-not-wish-to-vote guy said "I want 49-O slip...". The primary polling officer replied "We do not have 49-O slip". At this point a senior man from the political viewers section(who were seated on the left side in the room) said "There is a rule that 49-O should not be used...". I was wondering whether such a rule existed. Or is he just telling so that the guy will proceed and vote. By this time the queue behind me grew to about 10 people.
The officers finally came to some conclusion based on the response they got from their senior officers that they will get the complete address from the do-not-wish-to-vote guy, and a statement that "I do not wish to vote" which will be endorsed with a signature by him. He did all that left the place with a very sad face. His face showed that he is seriously worried about the future of this country. The second polling officer confirmed with the primary polling officer that there will be a mis-match in the count between the number of entries in her register and the votes registered in the machine.
Then the person standing in front of me caste his vote and then came my turn. Identification was verified, signed in a register and they applied the ink in my left fore-finger. I was a bit happy to see that ink mark in my finger and I primarily came here to get this mark only, rather than to put my vote. Then went to the machine and caste my vote. When I left the machine I also felt a bit sad-though not as sad as the do - not-wish-to-vote guy - when I thought about the future of my country.
- Pavala.
There was only one person standing the queue and for another person the formalities like verifying his identification, applying ink in his left fore-finger was going on. He was a young man, should be doing his first year college, and this should be his first voting experience. He then went to the table where a lady in black-saree was seated, the second polling officer - instead of going to the voting cabin-and told her something.
The second polling officer then told in a loud voice "I do not wish to vote", probably repeating what the guy told to her. All the officers (that's how they call themselves) on election duty sitting there stopped their work abruptly and looked at him. The primary polling officer, a lady in green saree, asked him "Then why did you come here???"
He gave no reply and he again told his stand "I do not wish to vote", without any expression on his face. It was very clear that he lost all his confidence in our democracy. The green saree officer immediately dialed some number on her mobile and started talking to someone - probably her senior officer. Two more officers also started talking to someone on their mobile phones, trying to get instruction on how to handle this.
The do-not-wish-to-vote guy said "I want 49-O slip...". The primary polling officer replied "We do not have 49-O slip". At this point a senior man from the political viewers section(who were seated on the left side in the room) said "There is a rule that 49-O should not be used...". I was wondering whether such a rule existed. Or is he just telling so that the guy will proceed and vote. By this time the queue behind me grew to about 10 people.
The officers finally came to some conclusion based on the response they got from their senior officers that they will get the complete address from the do-not-wish-to-vote guy, and a statement that "I do not wish to vote" which will be endorsed with a signature by him. He did all that left the place with a very sad face. His face showed that he is seriously worried about the future of this country. The second polling officer confirmed with the primary polling officer that there will be a mis-match in the count between the number of entries in her register and the votes registered in the machine.
Then the person standing in front of me caste his vote and then came my turn. Identification was verified, signed in a register and they applied the ink in my left fore-finger. I was a bit happy to see that ink mark in my finger and I primarily came here to get this mark only, rather than to put my vote. Then went to the machine and caste my vote. When I left the machine I also felt a bit sad-though not as sad as the do - not-wish-to-vote guy - when I thought about the future of my country.
- Pavala.
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