As winter slowly sets in across Himachal Pradesh, election officials are up against the uphill task of reaching the furthest possible places in the snow-clad regions of the state to ensure voters turn out for the assembly polls on Saturday. can take part in
However, election officials managed to set up the world’s highest polling station at Tashigang village in Lahaul and Spiti, where the voting process looked like a major democratic celebration. The staff of this polling station, called Adarsh Election Booth, were dressed in traditional attire.
Some of the features of the polling booth included self-help groups and food stalls with traditional food set up by local authorities. One of the features of this polling booth was that it was set up at an altitude of 15,256 feet at a low temperature. Polling officer Abhishek Verma said, “Sometimes people felt lack of oxygen, so we ensured that the voting turns into some kind of celebration.”
Despite weather anomalies, 100 per cent turnout was recorded with all 52 registered voters voting. There was enthusiasm among the voters to exercise their franchise. They came to cast their votes in traditional clothes.
Tenzing Norden said, “I am a first time voter and it was an exciting thing for me to exercise my right to vote.” She had returned to her village from Shimla where she is studying.
Voter Tenzin Yogan, who returned to Tashigang village from Dharamsala last week to vote, echoed the same sentiment. “Though the journey is difficult, I made sure I reach the village to cast my vote and I am happy that I voted at the highest polling station in the world,” he said.
Considering that the area witnessed a shortage of oxygen, special health centers were set up outside the booth. Along with this, a temporary crèche has been arranged for the voters coming from far-flung villages.
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