Polling stations are generally located close to residential areas so that citizens can vote conveniently, with the system even extending to remote regions for better accessibility. However, in a developed State like Goa, exceptions still exist.
At Halday Vaje in the Shiroda constituency, a polling station is situated directly in front of the house of senior citizen Shripad Raghunath Raikar. Yet, despite its proximity, Raikar and his family are unable to cast their votes there and are instead forced to travel four kilometres to the Karai Shiroda centre to exercise their franchise.
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Raikar previously voted at the booth near his residence. But during the 2017 correction of the voters’ list, an error occurred and the family’s names were shifted to the Karai Shiroda booth. Since then, the Raikar household has been voting at the distant polling centre.
Shripad has repeatedly raised the issue with the Booth Level Officer as well as the Mamlatdar’s office, but the problem remains unresolved. A simple correction in the voters’ list would allow the Raikar family to return to their rightful polling station near their home.
When contacted, Ponda Mamlatdar Bhiku Gawas said:
“In such a case, the Raikar family should fill Form 8 for correction and further also submit the SIR form which is currently an ongoing process. The issue can be resolved thereafter when SIR is completed and they would be able to vote at the booth located at their house.”
