New Polling Booth Boosts Turnout in Jharkhand’s Remote Lakhaidih Village

New polling booth in Lakhaidih, located in Dumaria block, sees high voter turnout

Key Points:

– Voters express gratitude to election authorities for local booth

– The turnout in Lakhaidih reaches an impressive 80.15%

– Local residents previously traveled long distances to vote

JAMSHEDPUR – Villagers in the remote and forested area of Lakhaidih have shown high enthusiasm for voting after a new polling booth was set up in their village.

Residents of Lakhaidih, located in Jharkhand’s Dumaria block and surrounded by hills, had previously faced significant challenges in reaching polling stations.

Prior to this year, voters from the village had to travel to booth number 274 at Bhitar Amda, a journey of nearly 24 kilometers by road and about three kilometers through dense jungle terrain.

This challenging commute often hindered voter participation, resulting in a historically low turnout rate of around 30-32%.

Electoral Commission Responds to Residents’ Request

The establishment of the new booth in Lakhaidih followed appeals by villagers to the Election Commission of India and local officials during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In response, the Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand, Ravi Kumar, and East Singhbhum’s District Electoral Officer, Ananya Mittal, coordinated efforts to bring a booth closer to the village.

The booth’s establishment has been a welcome relief for residents, with the village’s leader, Kanhu Ram Tudu, expressing his gratitude.

According to Tudu, “This is a great day for our village, as our voices are now easier to raise in the democratic process.”

Tudu’s daughter, Salma Tudu, proudly became the first voter at the newly established polling station.

Dramatic Increase in Voter Participation

The newly installed polling booth saw remarkable participation, with voter turnout rising to 80.15% in this Assembly election.

This dramatic rise underscores the impact of accessible voting locations, especially in areas that lack basic amenities such as mobile networks.

The Lakhaidih region, located near the border between Jharkhand and Odisha, is classified as a “shadow area” due to its limited infrastructure and isolation from communication networks.

Residents who cast their votes celebrated the success of the election setup, with many acknowledging the role of election authorities.

Their sentiments reflected pride and empowerment, as villagers were able to participate fully in the election process for the first time.

Recognition for a Collaborative Achievement

Community members attributed the success of the new polling booth to the combined efforts of local and state election officials.

Lakhaidih’s unique geographical challenges, which include rugged terrain and a population composed primarily of scheduled tribes, had long posed barriers to political engagement.

However, as one local resident observed, “We feel we have been heard at last, and we are thankful for this access to our democratic rights.”

The achievement highlights a successful collaboration among local stakeholders who advocated for the setup of a polling booth, ensuring a greater exercise of democratic rights in previously underserved regions.