Remote Polling Station on Varasanadu Hill Serves Just Five Voters in Theni District
The Election Commission of India has identified Varasanadu hill in Theni district as one of several remote polling stations that officials must reach during the upcoming assembly elections in five states next month. This particular station, located at the Duraisamy Maragatham aided elementary school as polling booth number 245, serves an exceptionally small electorate of only five registered voters.
Isolated Settlement in Western Ghats
This polling station is situated on the northern side of the Varasanadu hill range within the Vellimalai estate. It falls under the Andipatti assembly constituency and caters specifically to an isolated settlement of cardamom estate workers. These individuals live and work in the dense, verdant greenery of the Western Ghats, far from urban centers.
The current electoral roll for this remote station lists just three men and two women. Despite this minuscule voter count, the logistical effort required to conduct polling here is comparable to that of high-density urban polling centers. The Election Commission maintains that every eligible voter must have access to the democratic process, regardless of location.
Challenging Three-Hour Trek for Officials
Located approximately 65 kilometers from the district headquarters in Theni, reaching this polling station involves a demanding journey. Officials must undertake a three-hour trek from Andipatti to Vellimalai through difficult terrain characterized by narrow hilly pathways that test both human endurance and vehicle capability.
To manage this challenge, district authorities have appointed a dedicated zonal officer exclusively for this booth. This officer is responsible for ensuring that electronic voting machines and all essential polling materials are securely transported across the challenging landscape. The establishment of a full polling station for such a small number of voters underscores the commitment to electoral accessibility.
"While it may seem extraordinary to set up a complete polling station for just five voters, it is a necessary measure to ensure that these plantation workers can exercise their democratic rights without undertaking a long and arduous journey through the hills," explained election officials.
Historical Voter Turnout and Current Situation
The history of this high-altitude polling booth reveals a fluctuating but consistently dedicated voter base:
- During the 2021 assembly election, the station recorded an impressive 82.35% turnout, with 14 out of 17 registered voters casting their ballots.
- By the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the voter count had decreased to six, with four votes polled, resulting in a 66.6% turnout.
Then district collector Ranjeet Singh provided context about the station's location, noting that access roads are adequate. "As the voters of the area were already on patta land, we cannot shift them from their location. So, we decided to let them vote at their place," he stated.
However, he acknowledged the environmental challenges: "The challenging thing is that it lies in the forest area and a tiger reserve sharing the border of Virudhunagar district." This adds another layer of complexity to election logistics in this remote region.
Commitment to Democratic Inclusion
The Election Commission's decision to maintain this remote polling station demonstrates a profound commitment to ensuring that every Indian citizen, no matter how isolated their residence, can participate in the democratic process. The substantial resources deployed to serve just five voters highlight the principle that in a democracy, every vote counts and every voter matters.
This approach not only facilitates voting for plantation workers who would otherwise face significant travel difficulties but also reinforces the integrity of India's electoral system by making it truly inclusive. As assembly elections approach, officials will once again undertake the challenging journey to Varasanadu hill, ensuring that these five voters can exercise their fundamental right alongside millions of others across the country.
