An unusually low voter turnout was recorded at the Pachakanam Polling Booth in Kumily during the recent local body elections. Out of the total registered voters at the booth, only one voter turned up to cast a ballot, drawing attention from election officials and the public.
The polling booth is located in a remote forest region near the Periyar area, where access is limited and the number of residents is very low. Election officials confirmed that all necessary arrangements, including security and polling staff, were in place despite the small voter base.
During the polling process, a temporary technical issue with the electronic voting machine (EVM) caused a delay. Officials promptly resolved the issue, after which the lone voter successfully exercised his democratic right.
Authorities stated that such situations highlight the challenges of conducting elections in remote and sparsely populated regions, while also emphasizing the Election Commission’s commitment to ensuring voting access, regardless of the number of voters.
The incident has sparked discussions on voter awareness, migration, and population changes in forest and border areas of Kumily Panchayat.
