Pune: In a move to increase voter turnout for the upcoming assembly elections, 117 polling booths will be established in 55 housing societies across Pune district.

List of Polling Booths by Constituency and Housing Society:

• Purandar: 1 society, 4 booths

• Bhor: 5 societies, 6 booths

• Maval: 1 society, 1 booth

• Chinchwad: 9 societies, 12 booths

• Pimpri: 3 societies, 6 booths

• Bhosari: 3 societies, 7 booths

• Wadgaon Sheri: 2 societies, 6 booths

• Shivajinagar: 4 societies, 5 booths

• Kothrud: 15 societies, 31 booths

• Khadakwasla: 8 societies, 9 booths

• Parvati: 1 society, 1 booth

• Hadapsar: 4 societies, 33 booths

• Pune Cantonment: 4 societies, 5 booths

This step has been taken to provide convenience to voters, especially in large housing complexes, by bringing polling facilities closer to their homes. The Hadapsar constituency will see the highest number of such booths, with 33 polling centers to be set up within housing societies.

Traditionally, polling has been conducted in schools, gram panchayat offices, or government buildings. However, for the first time, during the May Lok Sabha elections, voting took place within housing societies in Pune and nearby rural areas. This approach was well-received, leading to its expansion for the assembly elections.

The Central Election Commission has undertaken various initiatives to raise voter awareness, emphasizing the importance of voting. Polling booths are usually set up within a two-kilometer radius of voters' homes, and necessary facilities are provided.

Despite these efforts, voter apathy, especially in metropolitan areas like Pune, Mumbai, and Thane, continues to be a challenge. Long queues, distance to polling centers, and the demands of daily life contribute to low voter turnout in these urban areas.

To mitigate these challenges, the Election Commission has directed polling booths to be set up within large housing societies, where thousands of residents live. This ensures easier access and more convenience for voters.

The Pune District Election Department has begun implementing this initiative, which will see polling booths established in 55 societies, distributed across several constituencies.

Pune district has a total of 8,417 polling booths to serve its electorate, which includes 44,91,068 male voters, 41,55,330 female voters, and 774 transgender voters.