In an effort to encourage more women voters to participate in the upcoming assembly elections, the Pune district administration will set up temporary creches at select polling stations. The initiative aims to provide a safe and convenient space for women with young children, allowing them to cast their votes without worry.
A total of 2,100 polling stations across the district will have these temporary creches, managed by Anganwadi workers and helpers.
The creches will provide toys, drinking water, and nutritious food to keep children engaged while their mothers vote. “Women voters can now vote without worry by leaving their babies in the care of Anganwadi workers at the polling stations,” said a senior district election official.
Despite the positive response from the administration, Anganwadi workers have raised concerns about the lack of support and compensation for their efforts during past elections. Mangala Jadhav, an Anganwadi worker, said, “We are happy to contribute to polling duties, but the administration only gives us orders without proper support. During the Lok Sabha elections, while others received food at polling stations, we did not even receive water.”
Inspecting officials didn’t bother to ask about our working conditions.”
Adding to the dissatisfaction, Anganwadi workers have yet to receive promised allowances for previous election duties.
Nilesh Datakhile, state vice-president of the Maharashtra State Anganwadi Employees Union, said Anganwadi workers lack allowances for election duties.
Monika Randhave, nodal officer for Pune’s nursery and child development project, assured adequate arrangements for Anganwadi workers’ food.
The initiative aims to increase women’s voting accessibility, though concerns over Anganwadi workers’ support highlight the need for recognition.
