As the voting in Mizoram is underway, there are around 40 polling booths in the state that are managed by all-women polling officials and security personnel. These ‘pink polling stations’are set up for women voters only, are locally known as ‘Dingdi’ – a wildflower, which is found in abundance in the state and is commonly used in Mizo poetry to depict beautiful women.
In a run-up to the Mizoram Assembly Elections, all 40 assembly constituency has one pink polling station. Each of these would have one presiding officer, three polling officials, and sufficient security personnel, state election department officials said, adding that these all-women booths have been created to encourage more women, voters, to come forward and vote.
58% turnout has been recorded till 3 pm.
As patriarchy was stringent in Mizo society, this is a welcome step, a woman activist said.
In a state where women voters outnumber male counterparts by 19,399, their representation in the assembly has been surprisingly low. Even this year, among the total 209 candidates in the fray, only 15 are women. Among these, six are from BJP and five from Zoram Thar, an evangelist party floated by Zaichhawna Hlawndo.
Though just 15, this is the largest number of women that has ever been fielded in the state since the first election in the state. a fact which shows how Mizoram is a tough pitch for women candidates.
On the Counterpart, Rajasthan, largest state of India, this time has 189 women candidates in the fray.
The Counting of Votes in 40 assembly seat state is slated for December 11 along with other state assembly elections.