Nagpur Voters Grapple with Phone Storage Issues at Polling Stations
Voters in Nagpur faced an unexpected challenge on Thursday. Digital tools helped them locate their polling booths, but a strict ban on mobile phones inside created a last-mile hurdle. Many people arrived at the premises only to find no clear arrangements for safekeeping their devices.
Digital Guidance Meets On-Ground Confusion
Voters actively used the NMC portal to check their details and navigate to the correct booths. However, once they reached the polling stations, banners and posters clearly prohibited carrying phones inside. This left numerous voters, especially those arriving alone and first-time electors, in a difficult situation. They had no designated storage facility available for their phones.
Several voters emphasized that phones remained essential even at the booth. Many relied on their devices to verify voter details or EPIC numbers quickly. The State Election Commission had previously directed local bodies to set up mobile phone deposit facilities. This instruction came after confusion during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Yet, at many centres in Nagpur, such arrangements were either absent or unclear to voters.
Official Responses and Voter Reluctance
NMC commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari spoke to TOI about the issue. He stated that voters had received adequate information about the phone ban. Police personnel were instructed to hold phones temporarily for voters. However, this solution did not work smoothly for everyone.
Some voters expressed reluctance to leave their devices unattended with police. Others reported that police officers declined to keep the phones. This mismatch between official directives and on-ground execution added to the frustration.
Highlighting Coordination Gaps
The problem drew significant attention to the need for better coordination. Authorities must align digital voter facilitation tools with practical on-ground arrangements at polling stations. As officials reviewed operational gaps observed during the NMC elections, this issue stood out as a key area for improvement. Ensuring seamless voter experience requires integrating technology with reliable physical infrastructure.
