Arrangements have been meticulously crafted to conduct the Lok Sabha elections for the sole seat in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Despite facing challenges like navigating through dense jungles and crocodile-infested mangrove swamps, polling personnel are ensuring that all 3.15 lakh voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots.
Scheduled for the first phase on April 19, the election will witness 1.64 lakh male voters, 1.51 lakh female voters, and four third-gender voters exercising their franchise.
Notably, the electorate includes 39 voters from the Great Nicobarese tribe, 68 from the Onge tribe, and 98 from the Shompen tribe, for whom special polling stations have been set up.
A total of 12 candidates, including two women and five Independents, are contesting for the seat.
Among them, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated Bishnu Pada Ray, while the Congress has fielded its incumbent MP Kuldeep Rai Sharma.
Ray, who has been elected to the Lok Sabha multiple times, faces a challenge from Sharma, who secured victory in the 2019 elections by a narrow margin.
With 412 polling stations in place, webcasting will be available in 206, particularly in sensitive or remote areas. However, conducting elections in the archipelago presents unique challenges due to its rugged terrains, irregular electricity supply, and limited accommodation facilities.
Polling personnel deployed in remote regions, especially in North and Middle Andaman and Nicobar districts, must navigate through treacherous landscapes, including crocodile-infested swamps and dense forests, often relying on small boats for transportation.
In an effort to encourage voter participation and foster a festive atmosphere, local authorities have collaborated with hotel and restaurant owners to offer a 20% discount on food and beverages to voters displaying their inked fingers.
The Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, Arjun Sharma, emphasised the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the electoral process, promising strict action against any attempts to disrupt it.
Security measures have been intensified across all three districts – North and Middle Andaman, South Andaman, and Nicobar – under the vigilant supervision of Director General of Police Devesh Chandra Srivastava.
Despite the logistical hurdles, the administration remains committed to upholding the democratic ethos of the elections, ensuring a smooth and fair voting process for the residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
