Ballot papers in Hyderabad polls give new experience to young voters

By Mohammed Shafeeq Hyderabad, Dec 1 : Paper ballots, used in the municipal elections held in Greater Hyderabad on Tuesday, refreshed the old memories of many citizens while it was a new experience for the young generation.
It was no longer just press of a button on Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) as was the case in the elections over the last two decades. Each voter had to collect the ballot paper from the polling officer, mark opposite the symbol of the party or candidate he is voting for and drop the paper in ballot box.
Though the process was not as swift as it used to be with EVMs, it did provide some curiosity to young voters who had only pressed buttons so far to exercise their franchise. It also brought back the old memories for middle-aged voters and senior citizens.
The process involved different stages. After verification of the voter by the first polling officer at the polling booth, indelible ink is applied on the left forefinger of the voter by the second officer.
The third polling officer takes signature or thumb impression of the voter on the counter foil of the ballot paper before issuing a folded ballot to him. The polling officer also gives to voter a rubber stamp. The voter then goes to polling compartment, mark vote on ballot paper, refold and come out to drop in the ballot box kept in front of the presiding officer and return the stamp to the police officer concerned.
“This is the first time I cast my vote using ballot paper. It was a different experience as in the previous elections for Assembly and Parliament I had to just press a button (on EVM),” Mohammed Fasihuddin, who cast his vote in Karwan division, told IANS.