Guwahati: Election authorities in Assam’s Tamulpur district, once ravaged by insurgency in the Bodoland Territorial Council area, have launched an “Adopt a Polling Station” campaign at booths that recorded low voter turnout in recent elections.Some polling stations in Tamulpur have historically seen poor participation, especially during the peak of insurgency, though turnout has improved in recent years. The administration is now focusing on constituencies that registered the lowest turnout in the last two elections, despite better connectivity and improved security.A senior district official said the selected polling stations recorded lower turnout in both the last BTC election and the previous parliamentary election. Turnout at the three polling stations was around 65%, compared with the district average of about 78%.Civil defence volunteers are leading the adoption drive, joined by elderly voters, first-time voters, and women. “Adoption has been done by civil defence volunteers, but elderly, first-time, and women voters have joined them to spread awareness about facilities available for voters, which can encourage all eligible citizens to come to polling stations,” said an official.Swgwmsar Basumatary, a civil defence volunteer involved in the campaign at Bimala Nagar LP School in Goreswar, said the effort includes participation from voters aged above 80 and first-time voters. “The team is speaking with local residents to understand why many stayed away on polling day, while accompanying administrative officials are trying to address the issues behind the low turnout,” he said. Reasons identified include migration for work, long distances between homes and polling stations, and voter card-related problems.The campaign, organised under the district administration and the SVEEP Cell, has been launched at Tamulpur MV School, Ghoramara MV School, and Bimala Nagar LP School. The administration said these polling stations have strong potential for improvement.“As civil defence volunteers, BLOs, BLO supervisors, and circle officers came together, it wasn’t just about a campaign — it was about conversations. Conversations with elderly voters, including an inspiring 85-year-old, with women who shape their homes and communities, and with first-time voters standing at the threshold of their democratic journey,” the office of the chief electoral officer, Assam, wrote in a social media post.It added that sometimes, strengthening democracy doesn’t begin with big speeches — it begins with simply showing up, listening, and walking together.
