Pune's Senior Voters Confront Election Day Challenges
Pune's elderly population has consistently shown strong enthusiasm for elections. However, this past Thursday, many found themselves deeply frustrated. A combination of factors prevented numerous senior citizens from casting their ballots. The issues included a confusing four-ward panel system, poorly allocated polling stations, and stringent identity card rules.
Haphazard Booth Allocation Splits Families
The primary complaint from older voters centered on the disorganized assignment of polling stations. This mismanagement often separated family members, forcing them to travel to different locations. Rodney Pereira, a 60-year-old resident of Undri, shared his experience.
"We had to visit three separate centers," Pereira explained. "My assigned booth was at Orchid School, my son's was at Hill Green High School, and my wife's was at Narayana Techno."
He emphasized that authorities should consider a voter's age and the distance from their home before making booth allocations. "This kind of mismanagement only discourages people from voting," he added.
Long Distances and Ward Confusion Deter Voters
For some, the sheer distance to their polling station proved too great an obstacle. Lata Pandurang Mahajan, a 66-year-old from Handewadi, received an assignment for a booth in Akashvani. This location was nearly 12 kilometers from her residence.
Upon arriving, she discovered an even more confusing problem. She had been moved to a completely different ward. "The names of the corporators were totally unfamiliar to us," Mahajan said. "We wanted to vote for our local representatives. Since they placed us in a different ward, I decided not to vote at all."
Strict Documentation Rules Create Barriers
For other seniors, documentation requirements became a significant barrier. Ramdas Gaikwad, a resident of Hinganemala in Hadapsar, arrived at his polling station with only a photocopy of his Aadhaar card.
"I have my official voting slip, but they refused to let me vote without the original ID," Gaikwad stated. Determined to vote on local issues like road widening, he called his son. His son rushed the original document to the booth so Gaikwad could finally cast his ballot.
Unwavering Civic Duty Amidst the Chaos
Despite these widespread problems, the day also highlighted stories of profound civic responsibility. At 9:30 in the morning, Sushila Chavan, aged 70, and her husband Naresh, 76, were seen walking back from a booth on NIBM Road. They both wore smiles.
"We usually take a 90-minute walk at 8 am, but today we delayed it to vote first," Sushila said. "I cannot remember the last time I missed an election. It is simply too important."
Travas Mariah, a 60-year-old voter, refused to let confusion deter her. After being informed her correct booth was at a school two kilometers away, she immediately hopped onto her husband's two-wheeler to continue her search.
"I am confused, but this will not stop me," Mariah quipped. "We will find the right booth and exercise our franchise."
Voting as a Personal Mission
For teacher Mohsina Shaikh, aged 67, voting was a solo mission. "My sons told me voting was a waste of time, but I insisted on coming," she said. "It is unfortunate if the younger generation feels this way. I just hope my vote helps bring positive change to Kadnagar."
In the Tilak Road area, an elderly couple reflected on the city's transformation. "Pune was beautiful 30 years ago, but now it is just noise and commotion," they remarked. "We voted so the city might regain some of its lost glory. Whether the politicians act on it is up to them, but at least we did not let our voices go to waste."
Perseverance for a Better Future
For SK Mehta, 81, and his wife Shakuntala, 75, voting required a two-stop journey across Sus Road and Pashan Gaon. This was due to last-minute changes in the voter lists. Despite the clear inconvenience, the retired ordnance factory officer remained focused on the larger goal.
"We are voting for an end to corruption and for better development," Mehta stated firmly. "Whether it is water supply or roads, we want our corporators to work for the betterment of this area."
The election day in Pune revealed a stark contrast. It showed systemic failures that frustrated many dedicated elderly voters. Yet, it also highlighted their unwavering determination to participate in the democratic process, no matter the obstacles placed before them.
