Courage beyond Borders: Strengthening Democracy in Chhattisgarh

Teams in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district are undertaking a challenging mission to deliver enumeration forms as part of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Crossing rivers and trekking through forests, they are striving to strengthen the democratic process despite ongoing challenges in Naxal-affected areas.

In an extraordinary effort to bolster democratic participation in remote areas of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, teams have delivered enumeration forms to 300 individuals under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This ambitious initiative targets regions affected by Naxal activities, including the Indravati National Park and Abujhmad territories.

The operation requires crossing the Indravati River and trekking through challenging terrains. According to Bijapur Deputy Electoral Officer NR Gawel, the teams, comprising Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and administrative staff, have risked their lives navigating forests and mountains to reach isolated villages such as Jarramarka, Hurregawali, Puslanka, Chinnatokameta, and Chhotebodli in the Bhairamgarh block.

Besides distributing the necessary documents, they have also assisted villagers in completing the forms. With 10 polling stations serving approximately 22,000 voters in this district, about 80% of the SIR work has been accomplished. Statewide, more than 1.92 crore forms have been digitized until November 30. The Election Commission of India has extended the revision schedule in nine states and three Union Territories by a week.

(With inputs from agencies.)