Mumbai, April 24: In an attempt to encourage the female voters, the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the first time has decided to distribute sanitary pads to female voters at the selected polling booths- sakhi matdan kendras- in suburban Mumbai on the fourth phase of Lok Sabha Elections on April 29, an official said on Wednesday. LS Polls: Over 60 Pink Polling Booths in Meghalaya.

This move from ECI is aimed to encourage women and exercise their franchise. ''Sakhi matdan kendras, the polling booths entirely managed by women, have been set up in all 26 Assembly segments of suburban Mumbai, which consists of three administrative subdivisions - Kurla, Andheri, and Borivali", the official said. Maharashtra Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Dates: Constituency-Wise Complete Schedule Of Voting And Results For General Elections.

"Each woman voter at these polling booths will be given a pack of sanitary napkins as a goodwill gesture. Besides, the arrangement of cold drinks would also be made for both men and women who exercise their franchise at these booths," PTI quoted an EC official.

As per EC's directive, In 2019 Lok Sabha elections around 300 polling booths are entirely managed by women were set up across 288 Assembly segments in Maharashtra, said additional chief electoral officer Dilip Shinde.

In the last three phases of the 2019 general elections, the EC had setup pink polling booths. The purpose of "pink polling booths" is to showcase the abilities and engender a sense of women empowerment. These special booths can be identified by its pink decor. Special arrangements are done at this polling stations for pregnant woman, senior citizens, Persons with Disabilities (PwD), among others.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 24, 2019 07:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).