Polling Station Relocated 20 KM Away, Chandranathpur Villagers Threaten To Boycott Panchayat Elections

In a dramatic escalation of protest, residents of Chandranathpur GP in Katigorah constituency have declared their intent to boycott the upcoming panchayat elections, citing the relocation of their polling station nearly 20 kilometres away to remote Damcherra.

Earlier part of the Borkhola constituency, the polling station at Kalibari Grant was shifted following the recent delimitation process. Locals allege that despite repeated appeals to retain the polling centre closer to the village, authorities have turned a deaf ear to their concerns.

“Travelling more than 40 km to and fro to vote is like taking away our voting rights,” said one resident, speaking on behalf of the voters. “We urge the district administration to look into this, or we will be compelled to boycott the polls. It’s not just the distance — the road is also in very bad shape, we have to walk across a railway line,” he added.

Another villager expressed deep concern for the elderly and the differently-abled. “There are many old and disabled people in our village who already find it difficult to walk. How can they possibly cover 20 kilometres on foot to vote and then walk another 20 back home?”

On Monday, the area echoed with slogans as residents voiced their outrage. Akhil Karmakar, Sujit Kurmi, Nirmal Karmakar, and Jyotsna Kurmi addressed the gathering and reinforced the community’s resolve to abstain from voting unless the polling station is relocated back to a more accessible location.

The polling for the panchayat election is scheduled on May 2, and the counting on May 11.