Even a single vote matters, ECI proves it
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- Current News
- Thursday, 06 December 2012 17:47
- Published on Thursday, 06 December 2012 17:47
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Gujarat Global News Network, Ahmedabad
It is common to see NGOs and other organizations urging people to vote in the elections saying that every vote counts. Well, the Election Commission of India has proven it by setting up a special polling booth, with a full staff of five, just for one registered voter.
Banej, a small hamlet in Gir Forest has only one resident. Mahant Bharatdas, 59, has lived as an ascetic in an ancient temple there for 15 years. So for the elections scheduled next week, the ECI has set up a special polling booth, with a full staff of five, just for Mr. Bharatdas. A polling booth is set up in the one-room office of the forest department at Banej
“This is the best possible example of how even a single voter is given importance and respect in the world’s largest democracy,” said Manish Bhardwaj, the chief election officer of Junagadh district, which includes Banej. “Just like at every polling station, a presiding officer, two polling officers, a peon and an armed policeman will be on duty in Banej. They’ll reach there a day before and stay overnight.”
Mr. Bharatdas voted in the 2004 and 2009 parliamentary elections and in the state assembly polls in 2007, and said he is looking forward to doing so again on Dec. 13.
Voting is his “moral and national duty,” he says. “I’m very happy that the authorities don’t treat Banej, where I’m the only registered voter, differently and give it as much importance as any other polling station. It shows that even one vote is very important in a democratic election. I really feel honored.”
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