Shillong, April 6: Meghalaya gears up for the Lok Sabha polls with the theme “No One Should Be Left Behind.” The Election Department has facilitated home voting for PWDs and elderly voters. A segment of the electorate, comprises of laborers and private sector employees from remote areas, faces formidable barriers in exercising their voting rights.
As the Election Department has challenges reaching difficult terrains so does the voters in the most of the remote locations have to reach their respective polling stations. Many laborers and private sector employees find it practically insurmountable to journey to their respective polling stations.
Hasson Sohlawa, employed in Shillong, shared his ordeal, revealing a grueling 6 to 7-hour trip to reach his village in Jirang constituency, coupled with significant expenses. With just a single holiday on polling day, April 19th, and the added financial burden of Rs. 2500 to 3000 for transportation, Sohlawa’s plight focuses the disenfranchisement faced by marginalized workers.
Jackson Marak, who works in a private shop in Shillong and hails from a village under Shylla constituency, expressed his desire to vote but is deterred by work commitments and time constraints.
The glaring question arises: Does the Election Commission’s theme of inclusivity truly extend to voters like Jackson and Hasson ?
This oversight likely contributes to a drop in voting percentages in Meghalaya. Despite the government’s extensive efforts to boost voter turnout, the apparent partiality towards certain segments of the electorate raises serious concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process.
In light of this, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions to ensure that no voter is left behind. The concept of ballot voting for voters like Jackson and Hasson, whose contributions are essential to nation-building, warrants serious consideration. This would not only uphold the democratic principle of equitable participation but also honor the invaluable contributions of marginalized workers to the democratic process.
As Meghalaya prepares for the Lok Sabha polls, it is imperative for authorities to address the accessibility issues faced by marginalized voters, ensuring that every voice is heard and every vote counts in shaping the future of the state and the nation.
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