KISHTWAR: Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar Rajesh Kumar Shavan today trekked 6 hours to and fro, to reach the 146-Gorrow polling station of Bonjwah area of the 48-Inderwal Assembly Constituency to celebrate the 100 percent voter turnout-a milestone achieved by the proud voters of the said polling station.
Pertinently, one has to cross steep height of 8000 feet through a tough terrain and then descend a steep trek across the hill to reach Gorrow which is under P-2 and P+1 transport plan .
The entourage accompanying the Deputy Commissioner included ACD Phulail Singh; AD FSC&CS Shafkat Keen; Tehsildar Bonjwah Irshad Ahmed; Tehsildar Drabshalla Tejinder Singh; NLMT Riyaz Ahmed Butt and ExEn PDD Altaf Hussain besides other officials .
Notably the polling station has set a remarkable benchmark by achieving a 100% voter turnout in the first phase of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024. The Polling took place on September 18, 2024, and the villagers mass participation in voting process has been hailed as a success story for democracy and civic engagement throughout the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
On his arrival, locals accorded a grand welcome and reception to the Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan and his team. The DC interacted with the voters of Gorrow, congratulating them for their exemplary participation and commitment to the democratic process. The voters and the BLO of the polling station were felicitated by Deputy Commissioner with flowers in the presence of other officers.
Despite being a remote village of Block Bonjwah in the Inderwal constituency, faced with multiple challenges in absence of road and mobile connectivity, the Gorrow Village people demonstrated collective will and commitment to exercise their democratic rights by ensuring that every registered voter cast his vote.
BLO, 146-Gorrow apprised the DC that multi-pronged approach was adopted by team to ensure that all the voters including those working outside the district were facilitated to be present on voting day and cast their vote. In his address, the Deputy Commissioner congratulated the voters for this outstanding performance.
He added that this milestone of 100% turnout stands as a beacon of hope for many other villages in the UT that continue to struggle with low voter participation.
He reiterated that the achievement of Gorrow reflects the increasing awareness of electoral processes, driven by effective voter education initiatives under the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign led by the District Election Office Kishtwar and people's civic responsibility on the other hand.
He said that 100 percent participation in this election is not only a demonstration of villagers commitment to democracy but also an inspiration for the entire district. It is the people’s power that makes democracy thrive, and Gorrow has shown how an empowered and aware community can lead by example.
The highlight of the event was the first time voters, PwD voters and concerned BLO sharing their experiences and how this milestone was achieved in collective and collaborative manner with the support of district administration and Election Authority.
Meanwhile the people of Gorrow Village also praised the Deputy Commissioner for his maiden visit to this far off area and said that this is for the first time that a Deputy Commissioner has reached this area.
Major highlight of the day was the mega celebration by the enthusiastic locals, Voters and Officers and Officials to commemorate the milestone. Later, the Deputy Commissioner also visited Shiroti and Naki Villages en route and met local people.
