EC to go extra mile for Chhattishgarh voters

The Election Commission of India is going all the way to implement this year’s slogan for the Chhattisgarh Assembly election 2018 “Sugham, Sugadh, Samaveshi” (accessible, fair and inclusive) to ensure free, fair and peaceful election.

“Our target is to reach each voter so that they can cast their votes. The polling teams will cover around 10 to 15 km to reach some of the polling stations. The route is geographically difficult. The polling teams will cover some distance in a vehicle then it is on foot,” said Narendra Kumar Dugga, District Electoral Officer and Collector, Koria.

In some polling booth in Chhattisgarh, the number of electors is in single digit. For example, in the Bharatpur-Sonhat Assembly constituency, there is a polling centre No 143, where there are only four voters.

To reach village Sherandandh, which in revenue map is marked as forest village, the polling team will travel through the rocky mountain track and cross a river. The village, which is dependent on Panchayat Chandha, is situated around 15 km from the nearest main road.

Out of four voters, three are from one family — 60-year-old Devraj Cherva, his son Ram Prasad and daughter-in-law Chingaro. The fourth one is villager Mahipal Ram Rautiya.

Another polling booth No 139 in village Kaato has 11 electors. The senior-most voter is a woman who is around 70 years.

Due to the difficult terrain, poll officials will be reaching the booth a day before the voting and they will remain at the centre until the completion of polling at 5 pm, he added.