To ensure “no voter is left behind” in Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission will set up three floating polling stations on the Dal Lake and one along the LoC to “exclusively” serve an area that has 100 per cent ST population. Announcing the schedule for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said the intent to set up these “unique” polling stations was to ensure accessibility in otherwise unreachable areas.
The three floating polling stations, a first in Indian election history, are being set up to cater to the hard-to-reach populations around Dal Lake. Polling teams will travel by ferry and the traditional Kashmiri boats, shikaras, to these unique stations.
“One of these stations, located at Khar Mohalla Aabi Karpora, has only three voters,” CEC Kumar said. Another polling station, Kuragbal, located in the Gurez Assembly constituency along the LoC, is dedicated to a 100% Scheduled Tribe population.
During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, this station recorded 80.01% voter turnout despite its remote location and the challenges posed by its proximity to the border. CEC also said that the Seemari is the first polling station in Kupwara district, which has consistently achieved high voter turnout, defying logistical and security obstacles. “We are committed to ensure that even the most isolated communities can exercise their democratic rights”, he added.
