Voters at highest polling station in Himachal threaten boycott

Tashigang polling station in Mandi Lok Sabha constituency has 52 voters, they cite lack of employment in border village for decision

Voter enthusiasm at the country’s highest polling station of Tashigang in Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti valley adjoining the China border has hit a low. Unlike the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when the remote village located at a height of 15,256 feet in Mandi parliamentary constituency reported 100% turnout, this time its 52 voters have threatened to boycott the June 1 poll. The reason: Unemployment.

Voters standing in queue for their turn to cast their votes in the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections at the country’s highest polling station of Tashigang in Lahaul and Spiti district on November 12, 2022. (HT file photo)

“Most villagers earn a living by working as daily wagers on contract for the public works department. Some of us had been employed for seven years with the department but were suddenly rendered jobless after our contracts were terminated last year. The department says it does not have the budget to continue with the works we were hired for,” said local resident Tenzin Lhundup, who represents the workers.

Lhundup along with villagers submitted a memorandum to Lahaul and Spiti additional deputy commissioner Rahul Jain last week, seeking the administration’s intervention to ensure their means of livelihood.

“We were about 20 villagers who worked with the PWD. We have no other source of income to fend for our families,” Lhundup said.

When contacted, ADC Jain said: “I am in the know and will take up their problem with the authorities concerned.”

The polling station, 29 km from the China border, covers two villages of Tashigang and Gete and was set up in 2019 when it had 48 voters. Of the present population of 75, it has 52 registered voters, including 22 women.

“We are trying to convince the villagers to participate in the elections, but right now they are adamant about the boycott. After all, the issue is connected to their livelihood,” said Palzor Dolma, who heads the local Mahila Mandal.

The villagers resort to growing peas and potatoes when the cold abates but it is a seasonal venture given the harsh winter in the region, she said.

Tashigang is connected by road that is closed due to snow in the higher reaches at present. Spiti’s headquarters at Kaza has the highest number of 811 voters followed by Gulling with 544 and Rangrik with 478 voters.

Earlier, the hamlet of Hikkim at an altitude of 14,400 ft, also in Lahaul-Spiti district, was the highest polling station in the country.