Only in Kolkata, you can ride a tram and vote in it too

KOLKATA: Trams for polling booths? Not a bad idea, feels the election office. It is working on a project to convert trams into auxiliary polling booths on March 27, when Kolkata votes.
The city of joy is the only one in India nostalgic enough to have tram cars.
N K Sahana, officer-on-special duty in the chief electoral office, told TOI: "We came up with this novel idea only recently while inspecting the voter's lists of some areas where the electorate would be more than the 1,200 limit."
The authorities realized that there are not enough public buildings or schools in some of the most densely populated areas of the city, like Manicktala, Bowbazar, Entally and Shyampukur.Booths in these constituencies have 1,400 to 1,600 voters each. The EVM capacity is a major factor in polling because it takes at least 12 seconds to cast one vote. So, no more than five votes per minute. The time for processing the voting, checking EPICs or relevant documents sometimes takes longer. Therefore, the maximum number of voters per booth is restricted to 1,200. In the pre-EVM age, the limit was 800. Once a booth exceeds the limit, polling is split to the auxiliary booths set up in the vicinity.
"We thought of using trams, which can easily be transformed into polling booths," said Sahana.
But then, voters in certain city pockets would be exposed to the exclusive experience of exercising their franchise inside the heritage carrier.
The hitherto unheard of concept was discussed at a meeting in the CEO's office with senior officials of Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC). Pradip Chattopadhyay, managing director CTC, said: "We discussed the aspects relating to the conversion of trams into polling booths. I have been an observer for several elections. So I know the problems of setting up auxiliary booths. As it is, there is a dearth of public buildings. It would be extremely interesting to use trams for polling. Trams are roomy and have adequate infrastructure for the purpose."
The CEO's office is yet to work out the details. As it waits for returning officers of assembly constituencies, where trams might be needed as auxiliary booths, there are several issues that must be sorted out. Should the trams be parked on the thoroughfare or are they best kept in the depots where facilities, like toilets, are available? An official reasoned, "It's not always possible to provide auxiliary booths with toilets and other facilities. Sometimes we have to put up temporary structures or tents to create auxiliary booths. In that case, a tram is good enough."
The prime consideration should be proper cordoning and sterilizing of 200 metres around the tram booth. Windows must be covered for absolute privacy. Sources said four or five tram-booths may be requisitioned after ensuring that flow of traffic in these areas wouldn't be affected.
A senior official in the CEO's office said, "The Election Commission has asked for innovative ideas for speedy and secured electioneering. In the September 1999 Lok Sabha elections, a boat in Burdwan was converted into a polling booth because the existing one was submerged in flood waters."
With trams, there is a bonus. You can vote and get a ride home too.