In an attempt to make the voting experience better, the Election Commission is making a host of facilities available at every polling station. These will include drinking water, toilets for men and women, a wheelchair and a ramp.
Announcing these facilities during a press conference to reveal the dates for the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, said all 10.5 lakh polling stations across the country will also have a voter facilitation centre, a helpdesk, signage, a shed and sufficient light. Mr Kumar called these "minimum basic facilities".
Apart from making booths accessible to persons with disabilities, arrangements will also be made to provide assistance to pregnant women. All of these steps, Mr Kumar said, are being taken to make voting more accessible.
India has nearly 97 crore voters and the Election Commission has said it is committed to transparent, fair, and inclusive general elections.
