Odisha: Officials traverse tough terrain to reach polling station

Mayurbhanj (Odisha) [India], May 31 (ANI): To ensure the participation of everyone in the last phase of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, a polling team navigated daunting terrains and weather conditions to reach the far-flung village Rundhadihi in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.

Voting for the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections and 42 assembly seats will conclude on June 1.

After a tough trek, the polling team comprising young personnel reached booth number 78 (under Saraskona assembly constituency) at the hill village Rundhadihi in the district.

Speaking to the ANI team, which was also with the polling team, the election officials informed their team left the dispersal centre at Rairangpur in the district with voting materials in the morning.

After crossing a valley (on the way to the assigned polling centre), the vehicle ferrying the polling team broke down, following which the personnel along with the material left for their destination on foot.

After marching on foot and climbing a portion of a hill, the team reached their polling station.

"To ensure the participation of every voter, the polling team reached a hill village Rundhadihi by covering the rough terrain," said Presiding Officer Suman Majhi.

"We left the dispersal centre at Rairangpur around 10 am and on the way to the assigned Rundhadihi polling station got stuck in a traffic jam due to an accident at Valley. Apart from the village being located in the hilly area, the challenge is amplified by a problem that the tyre of our vehicle got punctured following which the team had to partially climb the hill, he said.

The officer asserted that all the polling personnel will make an effort to ensure incident-free and fair elections. (ANI)