SHILLONG: Celebrating the festival of democracy, some polling stations wore a festive look this Assembly election which has turned different from the previous assembly elections.
The electorates who waited in line to cast their votes in 61 model polling stations and 67 all- women polling stations must have noticed a difference in these polling stations.
The model polling station and all women polling stations were set up in each of the 60 seat Assembly constituencies adding a touch of colour to the occasion.
The entrances to the women polling stations also known as Pink Polling Station were decorated in Pink colour, even the booths were also in pink colour.
However both male and female voters voted in the Pink Polling Station. Asked, some of the volunteers thought that only female voters will be allowed to vote in those polling stations.
In terms of the model polling stations, pink colour was replaced by green colour.
Common facilities included access to drinking water, waiting area, toilet facilities, ramps for physically handicapped.
Security
A visit to some of the pockets in West Shillong constituency found that the areas are manned by security personnel to monitor the safety and security of the polling stations dubbed as sensitive by the election department.
It may be recalled that a live grenade was found from the private vehicle of a Congress supporter in West Shillong on February.