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Maharashtra assembly elections: QR Code system introduced in Thane to help voters locate polling booths

SECTIONS

ET OnlineLast Updated: Nov 19, 2024, 01:19:00 PM IST

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Synopsis

To combat low voter turnout in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, Thane district is pioneering a QR code system. This system allows voters to easily find their polling stations and access real-time information. Early engagement with the initiative has been positive, with a significant portion of eligible voters already utilizing the technology.

Thane Votes Digital — AI generated image.

In an effort to increase voter participation in the upcoming November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections, Thane district has launched a new QR code system. Voters can scan these codes to quickly locate their designated polling stations.

Thane collector and election officer Ashok Shingare explained the reasoning behind the initiative and said, “The initiative aims to enhance voter convenience and participation, particularly as the Election Commission raised concerns regarding low voter turnout in the Thane and Kalyan regions.”

The QR codes are available on the election department's website and displayed in public areas throughout the district's 18 assembly constituencies. Scanning the code provides voters with the polling booth's address and location details.

As of Monday morning, almost half of the district's 7.2 million eligible voters have already utilized the QR code system. The election department also reports significant engagement with its voter outreach efforts on social media.

In a similar initiative, Navi Mumbai police, under Commissioner Milind Bharambe, have introduced their own QR code. This code provides voters with polling booth locations, parking information, and real-time updates on crowd density at polling stations.

The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20 and counting is set to be held on November 23.

The opposition MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP), are looking to challenge the Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

In the previous assembly elections, that is the 2019 elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and Congress 44. Meanwhile, in 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42.

(With inputs from PTI)

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