Tashigang, World’s Highest Polling Booth, Prepares To Vote In Last Phase Of LS Elections

New Delhi: All four constituencies in Himachal Pradesh will choose their representatives in Lok Sabha in the seventh and final phase of polling on June 1.

Many eyes will be on Mandi constituency, where outspoken and often controversial Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut is contesting on a BJP ticket.

There is a lot of interest on Tashigang in the Mandi constituency, as it happens to be the world’s highest polling station and is close to the Indo-China border.

Located in Spiti Valley at an altitude of 15,256 feet, Tashigang is covered in snow for almost six months a year, and there is a shortage of oxygen in this village.

There are a total of 62 registered voters — 37 men and 25 women.

The polling station in Tashigang, declared as a sensitive centre, was set up for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. To the credit, every elector cast their vote five years ago.

Termed as a model polling station, special security arrangements have been put in place in Tashigang.

Prior to 2019, the highest polling station was Hikkim (14,400 feet), located close to Tashigang.

Tashigang is one of 29 polling stations in Spiti. Divided into six sectors, Spiti has 8,514 eligible voters — 4,366 men and 4,148 women.

Assistant returning officer Rahul Jain urged Spiti residents to vote in maximum numbers on Saturday.

“Necessary instructions were also given to the officers present to conduct the elections peacefully and fairly. The slightest mistake of the polling parties during voting will be considered a failure of the entire system, so all the officers should understand the seriousness of their responsibility and work with full caution,” Jain said.