As a cost-cutting measure, the Election Commission reduced the number of polling stations during this National Council Elections. However, for the voters of Shumar village in Pema Gatshel, the commission set up an additional polling station given the high number of registered voters. And this provided voters from near and far in the village an opportunity to cast their votes without fail.
With the additional polling station, the voters were able to come at their convenience to cast their votes. Unlike in past elections, they did not have to rush and could vote on time.
“After I fed my cattle and prepared meals for my parents and completed other chores, I came here to cast my vote, which is an opportunity. I am thankful,” said Tshering Choden, a voter.
“People did not have to rush unlike in the past. It saved a lot of time for the voters. We are very grateful for a separate polling station this time. It really benefited us especially, the farmers,” said Nidup Dorji, another voter.
“This time we had two separate polling stations. So, we did not have to wait like in the past and could cast our votes smoothly,” said Sangay Dema, a voter.
The additional polling station at the Shumar Primary School saw 147 voters turn up. The ECB set up an additional polling station to increase voter turnout.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam Pem
