Voters Face Travel Difficulties During Local Elections

Voters from several remote hamlets under the Visapuram Gram Panchayat in Etapaka mandal of Polavaram district are facing difficulties reaching polling stations during local elections. Around 400–500 voters live across the hamlets of Gollaguppa, Saggampadu, Cheemilivagu, Doragattu, Devayya Gumpu, Cheruvugumpu, Salibudupa, Jaggavaram and Chukkalapadu, which are located in Maoist-affected areas. To cast their votes in the upcoming local elections, residents must travel to polling stations in Visapuram or Chalampalem. Voters from Gollaguppa have to travel nearly 15 kilometres to reach the two polling stations in Visapuram, while those from Doragattu, Chukkalapadu and Jaggavaram need to cover around 10 kilometres to reach the designated polling centres.

The situation is different during Assembly elections, when a polling station is set up at nearby Bandirevu village, making voting more accessible for residents. However, this facility is reportedly withdrawn during local elections, forcing voters to travel longer distances. During election periods, leaders of some political parties arrange tractors and other vehicles to transport residents to polling stations. The long journey and dependence on transport arrangements have become major challenges for voters in these remote settlements. Residents’ difficulties have also raised concerns about ensuring convenient access to polling facilities and enabling every eligible voter to exercise their democratic right.