SHILLONG: For some polling personnel, it is a difficult task to attend to the call of duty owing to the difficult terrain though many polling stations in the obscure hamlets have less number of voters.
Kamsing, the smallest polling station with just 29 voters under Amlarem Assembly constituency, is an example.
The polling parties have to take a boat ride to Kamsing, which is the only polling station in the state that depends on ferry.
Five polling officials and four police personnel have already reached Kamsing to ensure that the 29 voters exercise their franchise freely.
An election department official said though there are only 29 voters, they cannot be neglected as democracy demands all help to be provided to the voters.
There are 102 remote polling stations which have been categorised as inaccessible due to bad roads and other connectivity problems.
The Election Department has also taken adequate security measures to ensure free and fair polls in the militant-hit areas of South Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills.
Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor appreciated the positive approach of thousands of government officials and staff who had to leave their comfort zones and stay in difficult places for the election.
“We recognise that they are doing this for the state of Meghalaya and taking part in nation building and contributing to deepening of democracy in the frontiers,” he said.
According to Kharkongor, their service in the interest of their children, their villages, towns and other areas is laudable as many of them will be staying in dilapidated school buildings and in challenging context when winter has not ended.
