I am back - safe & experienced after attending the official duty of the World's biggest democracy. All my fears turned true on the previous day [April 29, 2009] of the election when I got my posting order for a hypersensitive booth - Perivayu - a small village close to the Kerala Border.
I was a little scared when I read in the newspapers that there are 22 naxal infested booths in the Dakhina Kannada district of Karnataka. I started my journey towards Puttur with a small group of people - all Micro Observers - mostly Bankers for the election duty from Mangalore city. We arrived at Puttur at around 5: 00 p.m and we were sent immediately to our respective booths.
To my dismay I had to travel alone in a jeep to my destination. The roads were horrible and it was a jungle area. I finally reached my booth affter an one and half hour of drive. My polling station was in a small school surrounded in the midst of big trees and mountains. I took my bag and went inside. The school was in a dilapidated condition, but far better than any of the Govt. Primary schools of Orissa. I was surprised to see electricity with glowing bulbs and moving fans. Introduced myself to the presiding officers and the polling officers of both the booths - as I had to observe two booths. Felt a little better after that.
I took a round of the premises and noticed the big well at the far corner of the playground. It was absolutely thrilling to bath in the open near the well after such a long long time........ .I used to see my university batchmates doing the same with ecstasy at the Campus during my Post graduation days.
Food came by 9 'O' Clock in the night on an auto provided by the Sector officer. I had my dinner sitting on the ground with all of them. I felt nice to do that. It was boiled rice and I literally had to gulp it rather chewing. After that I Joined the big school benches and made my bed. Applied the newly purchased Odomos cream all over the body ...closed my eyes thinking about my next day's work. Got up at 4:30 in the morning cleansed myself at the well once again.
The polling procedure started at 6:30 a.m. The ritual Mock Poll completed peacefully and the polling began at 7:00 a.m. A little altercation took before the start of the poll between the congress & BJP polling agents but later it was peaceful. Each hour passed by.........I reported regularly and gave my reports to the sector officer and the Election Control room through the phone.
Ladies with children on the laps , old men and women on wheel chair...giggling young gals....serious men folk........ .ladies with burkhas..... ......it was lovely to see all of them at the ing station..
Anxiety increased after 3 p.m as there was only two more hours left. Finally, the clock struck five..and the polling was official declared closed. Doors were closed by the security men...and after observing the closing of the machines, their packing and sealing we all waited for our pick up bus. It came at 6:30 p.m......again a travel of one and half hour back to the Mustering centre to Puttur ...bid goodbye to my polling team and reported to the Assistant Returning officer. I received Rs.1,000 for my services from the Election Commission, Govt. of India. Finished my food which was arranged by them and started back with the same team of Mircobservers back to Mangalore. Submitted my observation report to the District Collector/Observer at Mangalore . Exchanged experiences with my other colleagues on the bus and finally reached home at two in the night.
It was a lovely experience! but if you ask me whether I want to go once again?
Presently my answer is "Can't Say".
Monday, May 04, 2009
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