Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The remotest polling booths in India

India’s commitment to democratic processes is exemplified by the lengths it goes to ensure every citizen can exercise their right to vote. This includes establishing polling booths in some of the most remote and inaccessible parts of the country. From high-altitude Himalayan villages to dense forests inhabited by indigenous tribes, these polling stations are a testament to the nation’s dedication to inclusivity in its electoral process.

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In the dense forests of Gir, home to the Asiatic lion, lies a unique polling booth set up for a single voter. This booth ensures that Mahant Haridasji Udasin, a monk residing in the forest, is not left out of the democratic process. The Election Commission sets up this special booth every election, reflecting the principle that every vote counts.

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Tashigang in Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 15,256 feet, is the world’s highest polling station. Voters here brave thin air and cold temperatures to cast their ballots. The polling booth serves a small population of villagers, who often have to trek long distances through rugged terrain to reach the voting site.

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Nongriat, known for its living root bridges, is a village in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The polling station here is one of the most challenging and non-motorable in India. Election officials have to trek through dense forests and descend steep slopes to reach the village. The journey involves crossing several living root bridges and navigating through rugged terrain, making it an arduous task to set up and conduct polling in this remote location

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In the cut-off area of Indravati Reservoir in Odisha, voters from hamlets like Tangnikot and Gurmaiguda no longer have to cross the reservoir to reach the mainland to vote. New booths have been set up within the reservoir area to reduce travel time for the voters. Previously, these voters had to navigate 10 to 15 km by boat and road to reach a polling booth. Now, the polling party crosses the reservoir on motorboats and conducts voting at these new booths, which are equipped with generators due to the lack of electricity

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Majuli, the world’s largest river island, located in the Brahmaputra River, has several polling booths that are unique due to their geographical setting. The island is part of the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency and has a number of polling stations that cater to its diverse population. During elections, officials have to use ferries to transport electronic voting machines and other materials to the island. The logistical challenges due to seasonal flooding and erosion make these polling booths some of the most difficult to access and manage.

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On the remote Little Andaman Island, the Dugong Creek polling booth caters to the indigenous Onge and Shimpe tribes. The booth is set up in an area that is otherwise off-limits to outsiders, ensuring the tribe’s participation in the electoral process while respecting their isolation.

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In the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, Malogam is a village with a tiny electorate consisting of a singular woman. The polling booth here is reached after a treacherous journey of 44km through the Patkai mountain range, involving river crossings and steep climbs. The dedication of the polling staff who set up the booth in such a location is a remarkable example of democratic spirit.

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A remote village in Odisha’s Jajpur district, Nagada is nestled deep in the Sukinda valley and surrounded by dense forests and hills. The polling booth here serves the Juang tribe, one of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups in India. Reaching Nagada requires a treacherous trek through the forest and hilly terrain, making it one of the most challenging polling booths to access. The Election Commission ensures that the polling team, along with electronic voting machines, reaches this secluded village to enable the tribal population to participate in the electoral process.

Image: Odisha State Tribal Museum