Voters’ zeal warms up world’s highest poll station

SHIMLA: Enthusiasm among voters was high in tribal LahaulSpiti district despite some areas reeling under sub zero temperature.

The highest polling station in the world at Tashigang village in Spiti, which is located at a height of 15,226 feet above the sea level, also saw good polling percentage of 69.38 % even as minimum temperature was recorded at minus 2 degrees Celsius.

Hikkim (14,400 feet) was the highest polling station in 2017 and it has now been replaced by Tashigang, which also happens to be the highest village in Spiti valley.

TASHIGANG VILLAGE IN SPITI, WHICH LOCATED AT A HEIGHT OF 15,226 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL, SAW GOOD VOTER TURNOUT OF 69.38 %

About 18 miles from Indo-China border, the polling station caters to 49 electors of Tashigang and Gete villages inhabited mainly by Buddhists.

Of 49 voters in the two villages, 29 are male and 20 female. Seventy-eight-year-old Rigjin is the oldest voter in the two villages. There were five first-time voters.

Dominated by Buddhist population, Lahaul-Spiti is one of the 17 assembly segments that are part of the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, the sixth largest constituency in India, which is spread over 34,000 square kilometres. Mandi Lok Sabha segment alone covers 64% of total geographical area of the state.

The polling booth was set up at government school in Tashigang and the village road connectivity.

The polling started at a brisk note as more than 53% of the voters had exercised their right to franchise within first two hours of polling.

However, the polling station lacks mobile connectivity and the election officials use satellite phones to stay in touch.

BIRBAL SHARMA /HT Voters and poll officials in traditional attire at world’s highest poling station Tashgong in Lahaul and Spiti on Sunday. The freezing temperature at -2°C did not deter citizens from exercising their right to the franchise.