Residents of Chariyamthuruth, a secluded island hamlet in Kerala's Kochi, have made an urgent plea to the district administration. They are demanding the establishment of a polling booth within their locality for the upcoming state assembly election, citing severe hardships in reaching the current voting facility.
A 7-Kilometre Democratic Hurdle
Chariyamthuruth, which falls under the Vypeen assembly constituency, is home to more than 1,500 eligible voters. Despite its proximity to Kochi city, the area suffers from acute isolation. Every election, all these voters are forced to undertake a journey exceeding 7 kilometres to the designated polling station on the mainland, primarily via Varapuzha.
The lack of basic transport infrastructure turns this journey into a major ordeal. There is no regular boat service connecting the island. Furthermore, the approach roads are in a dilapidated state. This combination of factors makes exercising the franchise particularly challenging for the elderly, women, and persons with disabilities.
Years of Broken Promises and Rising Frustration
Local resident Antony Karal expressed the community's long-standing frustration. He stated that the issue has persisted for years, with repeated assurances from authorities yielding no results. "Every election brings distress to the people here. To cast our votes, we are forced to travel long distances under difficult conditions," Karal said.
The situation has reached a point where voter apathy is setting in. Another resident, Joyal John, revealed that many have decided to abstain from voting if no favourable action is taken. He highlighted critical safety concerns: "Sometimes the residents, including the young and the elderly, go in boats for voting, but these boats do not have any safety arrangements." John also pointed out that the poor connectivity affects daily life, noting, "Even schoolchildren face hardships commuting daily."
Political Youth Wing Steps In With Formal Appeal
This week, the crisis found a formal channel. The local unit of the Youth Congress submitted representations to the District Collector, the State Election Commissioner, and the Chief Minister, seeking urgent intervention.
In a letter to the Collector, the Youth Congress unit proposed a practical solution. They requested that polling arrangements for Chariyamthuruth be shifted to the Kadamakudy panchayat library functioning on the island itself. They argued that such a move would enable residents to participate in the democratic process actively, safely, and with dignity.
The appeal from Chariyamthuruth underscores a fundamental challenge in Indian democracy: ensuring accessible voting for all citizens, regardless of their geographical location. With the assembly elections approaching, the district administration's response will be a test of its commitment to inclusive electoral participation.
