To enhance voter awareness, the Indian election administration organized the country’s inaugural metaverse-powered virtual model polling booth on Saturday at MBD Neopolis Mall, Ferozepur Road. The event, which also featured live music and cultural performances, aimed to engage residents and encourage them to participate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Event Highlights and Objectives
Key officials, including general observer Divya Mittal, expenditure observers Chetan D Kalamkar and Pankaj Kumar, and district election officer (DEO) Sakshi Sawhney attended the event, urging residents to exercise their right to vote. Ludhiana Central assistant returning officer Ojasvi Alankar explained that the awareness event, titled ‘Ludhiana 70 paar,’ was a collaboration between the administration and the mall management under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program. The initiative’s goal is to surpass a 70% voter turnout in the elections.
Innovative Use of Metaverse Technology
A key attraction was India’s first metaverse-powered virtual model polling booth, designed to provide participants with a virtual mock polling experience. This innovative approach aimed to familiarize voters with the process in an engaging, technology-driven manner. Additionally, the event saw the launch of an election song and a bhangra performance by students from BCM Arya Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar. The Rock Fluid band also delivered a live musical performance.
Promoting Voter Resources
The election observers and administrative officials encouraged residents to utilize the website voteforludhiana.in. This platform allows voters to monitor crowd levels at polling centers on election day, with updates provided every half hour. This resource is intended to streamline the voting process and reduce wait times, making it more convenient for residents to cast their votes.
Preparations and Security Measures
On the same day, district election officer Sakshi Sawhney and commissioner of police Kuldeep Singh Chahal inspected the strong rooms and counting centers to review ongoing arrangements. They were accompanied by additional deputy commissioners Amit Sareen, Anmol Singh Dhaliwal, Rupinder Pal Singh, and all assistant returning officers (AROs) of the Ludhiana Parliamentary constituency.
The officials visited various buildings at Punjab Agricultural University, which will house the strong rooms and counting centers for all nine assembly segments. The DEO emphasized the importance of stringent security measures for the electronic voting machines (EVMs). She directed authorities to develop a comprehensive security deployment plan to ensure smooth operations post-voting. Surveillance systems, including CCTV cameras, were checked, and police personnel guarding the strong rooms were instructed to maintain high vigilance. The DEO mandated that access to the strong room areas be strictly controlled, with all entries logged in a special register.
Conclusion
This innovative event marks a significant step in leveraging technology to enhance electoral participation. By combining cultural elements with cutting-edge technology, the Indian election administration aims to create an engaging and informative experience for voters. The meticulous planning and stringent security measures underscore the commitment to ensuring a smooth and secure election process. As the Lok Sabha elections approach, these efforts reflect a broader strategy to increase voter turnout and reinforce the importance of democratic participation.