Kolhapur Civic Polls: Parties Plan 3-Minute Voting Strategy to Boost Turnout
Political parties in Kolhapur have crafted a precise plan for the Municipal Corporation election. They estimate each voter will need about three minutes to complete the voting process. This includes entering the polling booth, getting the finger inked, signing the register, and pushing four buttons on the electronic voting machine until it beeps.
Booth Management Based on Time Calculation
Parties base their entire booth management strategy on this three-minute calculation. A booth-level worker explained their approach. "We deployed one worker for every twenty houses in the ward," the worker said. "Their job is to ensure voters actually step out and cast their ballots."
The plan aims for voters under fifty years of age to vote by the afternoon. Older voters can come later. This strategy helps avoid long queues and waiting times. The goal is to achieve maximum voter turnout throughout the day.
New Multi-Member Ward System Introduced
This election marks the first time the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation is using a multi-member ward system. The first nineteen wards will elect four councillors each. The remaining twenty-one wards will elect five councillors each.
Another party worker detailed the candidate setup. "We positioned candidates so no two are from the same locality," the worker stated. This tactic pulls in supporters of local candidates to help with booth management. More workers at the booth increase voter confidence in casting their vote for that party.
Logistical Challenges and Voter Outreach
Each ward in Kolhapur contains at least twenty-five thousand voters. Reaching every household presented a massive challenge for candidates. Workers used handheld bluetooth-enabled machines to provide election slips to voters. They also demonstrated how to correctly cast a vote for four candidates.
With around thirty polling booths per ward, each party booth requires at least ten workers. Arranging such a large workforce proves difficult for smaller parties and independent candidates. The expenses for managing these party booths are also substantial.
Concerns Over Cross-Voting and Last-Minute Maneuvers
Hours before voting began, candidates made final attempts to secure support. A party leader expressed concerns about cross-voting. In some areas, parties have set up multiple candidates from the same locality but under different symbols.
"Voters might cast their first vote for a candidate from their own locality," the leader said. "They could then use their remaining votes for candidates from other areas." This dynamic adds another layer of complexity to the tightly managed election day operations in Kolhapur.
