Female polling staff imparted training in Kupwara

Kupwara, Sep 26: In a significant step towards empowering women in the electoral process and promoting inclusiveness in the upcoming assembly elections in Kupwara district on October 1, the District Election Office conducted the final phase of training for female poll personnel assigned to special Pink Polling Stations.

The training session was chaired by the District Election Officer (DEO) of Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan.

During the session, the DEO emphasized the vital role of Pink Booths in fostering greater female participation in the democratic process. She noted that these booths, staffed and managed entirely by women, are designed to promote inclusivity and gender equity while providing a comfortable and secure voting environment for female voters.

The DEO stressed the importance of ensuring that these polling stations operate smoothly and efficiently on Election Day, highlighting that there should be no room for error.

She encouraged the female staff of the Pink Polling Stations to maximize the benefits of this final training session, which aims to make the stations more women-friendly by creating a welcoming and secure atmosphere, ensuring privacy, and addressing any specific needs that female voters may have.

The DEO highlighted how these measures are essential for boosting female voter turnout and empowering women to actively participate in the electoral process.

The session covered various aspects of election management, including voter verification, EVM handling, and maintaining transparency and impartiality, while also strengthening team cohesion by encouraging staff to connect in advance.

The training concluded with an interactive Q&A session, allowing participants to clarify doubts and discuss potential challenges.

Throughout the day-long session, Assembly Level Master Trainers (ALMTs) provided comprehensive training and hands-on experience to equip the participating female employees with the skills and knowledge necessary to operate polling machinery on Election Day.

In the second session, training was also conducted for the staff of youth-manned polling stations.