After TOI reported on Tuesday that the ban on mules in Singalila National Park would make the trek more arduous for poll officials, carrying EVMs and poll-related materials to the three booths, the EC stepped in and urged the forest department to make an exception ahead of April 26 elections in Darjeeling.The forest department, which had imposed the ban on mules in Feb, did not comment.
Darjeeling SDO Richard Lepcha, who helped ease the norm, said, “Polling officials left for the three booths on Wednesday. The total distance to be traveled today is 106 km. An intermediate strong room, following EC norms, has been set up in Srikhola, where EVMs will be kept.”
Lepcha added, “On Thursday, the first group will head for Daragoan Junior High School, 17km from Srikhola, where the polling officer will get a ride on a four-wheeler following which there will be a trek for 5km-6km. The second group will head towards Rammam Forest Primary School 19km away, with a trek of half-a-kilometre. The third booth is at Samanden Forest Primary School, 26 km from Srikhola. The polling officer will have to trek 7 km. Porters will carry the luggage and EVMS.”
A total of 209 people will cast their votes at Ramman Forest Primary School, located at the highest point and under Srikhola-Dargoan gram panchayat. The other booths, Daragoan School and Samanden Forest Primary School, have 1,034 and 213 voters.
The forest department had imposed the ban on mules to prevent possible spread of infection to other animals. Passsang Sherpa, vice-president of Rimbhik Nature Guide Association, said tourists now depended solely on porters.
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