Pune Slum Pockets Register Strong Voter Participation
Slum neighborhoods across Pune and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation areas recorded a solid voter turnout on election day. Officials observed a steady flow of people at polling booths throughout the day, with a notable surge during the evening hours. Political party workers from all major outfits made extensive efforts to mobilize voters, aiming to secure advantages for their respective parties.
Morning Voting and Initial Challenges
During the morning, people from all age groups came out to exercise their democratic right. However, some voters faced frustration due to initial technical glitches in the electronic voting machines. These issues forced them to wait in queues for longer periods than expected. Election officials on duty confirmed that the problems were resolved within thirty minutes, allowing voting to proceed smoothly afterward.
At the Siddharthnagar slum pocket on NIBM Road, voting started slowly but gained momentum around noon. Interestingly, many residents from this area remained indoors, while a significant number of voters who showed up actually came from nearby localities.
Voices from the Ground: Voters Share Their Stories
Shanti Ubale, a domestic worker, explained her voting plans as she hurried to work. "Yes, I will vote. Unlike people living in plush housing societies, we have a lot of work to do in the mornings and cannot waste time. I have already checked, and I will come in the afternoon to vote," she said.
Her husband Pratap, an autorickshaw driver, shared his experience. "Business today looks good as many people are coming. I was hired by a party to pick up voters and drop them at polling stations and home. I will be paid in the evening. I already voted as it will be a busy day," he mentioned.
In the Rajiv Gandhinagar slum pocket of Yerawada, many residents expressed similar intentions to vote later in the day. Pandurang Gadwe, a two-wheeler mechanic, stated, "I have to open my garage at 9am and hence, couldn't vote in the morning. But I plan to close shop early and stand in the queue. Mornings are difficult."
His friend added an interesting perspective. "In slum areas, most people vote in the afternoon as there are 'perks' available. Party workers come to our homes, hand us slips, and confirm polling booths," he revealed.
Afternoon Voting Trends and Local Issues
Residents of the Janata Vasahat slum pocket in the Parvati area echoed these views. Vikas Balwe, a driver, said, "Many have voted, but many are waiting for the afternoon. I already voted as I have a train to catch to Mumbai in the evening. Development and cleanliness are major issues, and we hope they will be addressed."
His parents, however, planned to vote later in the day. They emphasized local concerns, saying, "If we get proper and uninterrupted water supply, it will be good."
Party Workers Facilitate Voting Process
Voters acknowledged the elaborate arrangements made by political party workers to assist them. Akash Waghmare from the Pimpri market slum area noted, "All party leaders ensured that voter slips were delivered to our homes in advance, which made it easy for us to locate our booths. This proved particularly handy in the evening hours, when many voters rushed to cast their franchise."
Party workers organized autorickshaws and cars to transport voters to polling stations and back home. Sagar Kale from the Kudalwadi slum pocket in Chikhali pointed out, "The transport facility mainly helped senior citizens."
Ganesh Kadam, a political party worker in the Shastrinagar slums of Kothrud, shared that party members even used their personal two-wheelers to pick up voters, demonstrating their commitment to boosting turnout.
Peaceful Voting Amid Heavy Security
Voting in these slum pockets proceeded peacefully, supported by a heavy deployment of police personnel and the active presence of party workers. Sarang Awad, additional commissioner of police, explained, "We took extra precautions in several sensitive pockets, especially densely populated slum areas such as Ambedkarnagar in Pimpri and Kudalwadi. Additional force was deployed in these localities to ensure voting was conducted without any hindrance."
In Kudalwadi, one of the largest slum pockets within PCMC limits, election officials reported a steady voter turnout since morning. Several booths recorded over ten percent polling in the early hours itself. Party workers were observed patrolling the lanes and bylanes of these slum areas, keeping a close watch on each other's activities to maintain a competitive yet orderly environment.
