Officials, political parties discuss voters’ issues, rationalisation of polling stations

The District Election Officer-cum- Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur, Sumit Khimta, chaired a meeting today with representatives of various political parties. The focus of the meeting was on the rationalisation of polling stations across the Assembly constituencies in the district, including Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Shillai and Shri Renukaji.

Several proposals were presented to address issues faced by voters in reaching polling stations. These included the creation of new polling stations and adjustments to existing ones to make voting more accessible for residents.

One significant proposal involved the Nahan constituency’s polling station 56/30 at Jabal Ka Bagh. Voters from Section 1, Gadpela, currently have to travel 3 km to reach the polling station. To reduce their travel distance, it was suggested that these voters be shifted to polling station 56/60, a closer option.

Similarly, in the Shri Renukaji constituency, voters from Nihog village under polling booth 23, Maithli, have to travel 4 km to cast their votes. A new polling station at the Government Primary School, Nihog, was proposed to reduce this distance. Likewise, voters from Hayunad village in polling booth 78, Jamu, also face a 4 km journey. A new polling station at the Government Primary School, Hayunad, was proposed for them.

Another proposal from the same constituency aimed to provide relief to voters from Dhaar Taran village, under booth number 81, Badon. The proposal suggested opening a new polling station at the Government Primary School, Chuldiya Dhaar.

In Paonta Sahib constituency, the existing polling station at the Industrial Training Institute, Shamsherpur, currently serves a large number of voters in a small space. The proposal was to shift this polling station to the Agriculture Grain Market, just 100 metre away, where more space was available.

Besides, Roodana village voters face challenges in reaching the polling station at Shiva-Roodana. A proposal was presented for establishing a new polling station at the Government Primary School, Roodana. Another polling station, 58/95-Badhana, is also set to be relocated due to difficulties faced by voters from Kalatha and Beldhar villages.

In Shillai constituency, a new polling station has been proposed at the Government Primary School, Bashwa, to facilitate voters from Bela village, who currently cast their votes at polling booth 59/36-Bela.

During the meeting, all proposals were thoroughly discussed with representatives of political parties, who gave their consent for the required changes.

Political party representatives, including Sanjay Goyal from the BJP, Nahan, Salim Ahmed and Mitra Singh Tomar from the Congress, Rajendra Thakur from the CPI (M) and Ayodhya Prasad from the BSP were present at the meeting. Besides, election office officials, including Tejendra Singh and the local staff, attended the meeting.