Vellore, 23 April (H.S.): Polling in parts of Vellore district took on a futuristic touch on Thursday as humanoid robots greeted voters at select booths during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, drawing attention and curiosity among the electorate.

The Election Commission introduced the technology-driven initiative on a pilot basis in two polling stations located in Gudiyatham and Vellore Assembly constituencies, aiming to improve voter assistance and make the polling experience more engaging.

Officials said the deployment was part of efforts to integrate innovation into election management, while ensuring smoother crowd movement and better awareness about facilities available at polling stations.

At the Government Municipal Higher Secondary School in Gudiyatham, a saree-clad robot greeted voters in Tamil as they queued up to cast their ballots. Holding a tray of flowers and chocolates, the robot created a festive and welcoming atmosphere, drawing curiosity and appreciation from voters.

At another polling station in the Vellore constituency, set up at the Government Muslim Higher Secondary School, a similar robot was deployed with interactive features. Equipped with sensors, it greeted voters with gestures such as handshakes and provided step-by-step guidance on the voting process.

The robots also played an informative role, reminding voters to deposit mobile phones at designated counters before entering the booth and announcing special facilities available at the polling stations. Senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities were guided to separate queues, while information about wheelchairs and assistance services was also shared.

Many voters paused to interact with the machines, making the polling experience more engaging. Election officials said such initiatives could help improve accessibility and efficiency, especially in large-scale democratic exercises, while also encouraging greater public participation in the future.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman