By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: They have to trek at least 9 km to reach Thieddieng Nongbah polling station in Mawsynram in East Khasi Hills.
The poling officers, both men and women, also have to travel 8 km on foot carrying EVMs to reach another inaccessible area of Nongshluid also in Mawsynram.
Some polling parties have to trek 7 km to reach Nongjri Wahskong polling station at Pynursla in East Khasi Hills, while some women including lactating mothers have to carry their small kids along with them for the poll duty in Garo
Hills.
There are also far flung polling stations under Mawkynriew in East Khasi Hills like Pynkya (5.5 km on foot), Rangphlang (5 km) and Khapmaw ( 4.5 km).
The plight of polling personnel is many. There is an instance where some women polling officers are accommodated along with security personnel for election duty, especially in Garo Hills.
There are also allegations that there has been lack of sufficient training to the polling officers which may result in improper handling of EVMs and electoral rolls during the polls.
When contacted, an election official said if there are complaints, the matter should be brought to the notice of electoral officers.
However, it is too late for such complaints as the polling officers with all the difficulties have no other option at the last moment but to faithfully carry out the call of duty for the ‘triumph of democracy’.
The challenges for the polling officers do not end in trekking long distances alone. Another serious cause of worry in certain polling stations in Ri Bhoi, West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills is the encroachment of wild elephants.
There are as many as 184 polling stations which are declared as sensitive due to the trouble following the rampage of tusked mammoths. Some polling stations in in Ampati, where the Chief Minister is contesting, are also prone to the attack of the elephants .
Election Officials said that polling officers had been sent to trouble torn polling stations much in advance especially during the day, so that they can settle down and take precautionary measures.
The electoral officers have already sought the assistance of forest staff to help the men in polling stations in case of any elephant attack .
Another cause of concern is the fear of militants disrupting the election in certain hyper sensitive polling stations especially in Garo Hills. However, to check this, adequate security personnel will be camping in and around such vulnerable polling stations.
