Ladakh Lok Sabha election | Unique polling booth established for 5 of a family in remote village near Siachen

Kargil, May 20: A unique polling booth was today set up for five members of a family in a remote village near Siachen.

Ladakh's smallest polling booth – for five voters, all of whom are members of a family had been set up by the election authority in Warshi village of Nubra around 170 kms from Leh, as part of the Election Commission’s efforts to ensure 100 per cent participation of people in the electoral process and to give opportunity to exercise their franchise. The family consists of six members where the only voters – two males and three females eligible to vote including Rinchen, 23, her parents, and grandparents.

Ladakh Parliamentary Constituency went to polls on May 20 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. " Washi is about 170 km from the capital town of Leh and the tented polling booth has been set up there to ensure 100 per cent participation in polling,” said the Chief electoral officer of Ladakh UT Yetindra M Maralkar.

Deputy Commissioner Leh, Santosh Sukhadeve who is also the Returning officer for Ladakh Parliamentary Constituency said that as per the directions of the Election Commission of India that no voters are left behind in the democratic process, despite the remote location and the small number of voters, the UT administration and the concerned election authority ensure that this unique polling station receives the same attention and opportunity of this family in exercising their right to vote. "With the Ladakh's lone parliamentary seat went to polls on May 20, a unique polling station, situated in Warshi village, sub-division of Nubra in Leh district, boasts an extraordinary characteristic: it has only five individuals registered in the electoral roll, all belonging to a single family. The Warshi village, nestled in the Nubra Valley, is an idyllic hamlet with a Smaneial role in the democratic process," DC told Greater Kashmir. " Of the 577 polling booths, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has established the highest polling station at Anley Pho in Ladakh at a height of 15,000 feet, DC added.

Meanwhile, in a significant initiative aimed at promoting inclusivity and cater to a wide range of needs of individuals district election authorities in Ladakh had established special polling stations across the UT. Atleast 75 all women managed - Pink Polling Stations were set up in Leh District out of a total of 298 poling stations. Special polling stations had been established for voters with disabilities, elderly citizens, women, and youth which offer tailored services ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to exercise their fundamental right to vote in a manner that is convenient and accessible to them. The district administration of Leh and Kargil districts had established Special Polling Stations (Pink/PWD/ women manned) in districts showcase the inclusive facilitation by the ECI for voters, with first-time initiatives. These stations aim to make the voting experience more accessible and engaging for all, officials said.

In district Kargil,10 model polling stations were set up, four polling stations were managed by women polling personnel and a polling station by PWD officials.