Himachal Pradesh Election: Voting At The World's Highest Polling Station, Tashigang

Tashigang is a small village high up in the icy Himalayas, sitting at a height of 15,256 feet. This village is special because it has the highest polling station in the world. It is found in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, close to the India-China border.

Way To Tashigang

To reach the Tashigang, the officers and security personnel have to bear the cold and crisp morning air. The path is challenging, with rugged terrain, narrow winding dirt roads, and unpredictable weather.

Photo Credit: ANI X

Election officials arrived at Tashigang, on the eve of the last phase of Lok Sabha polls in Spiti Valley, on May 31. The polling officers have to wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the glaring sun.

Tashigang doesn't have a proper road. As the journey begins, the paved road quickly turns into a narrow and uneven dirt path. The brown hills are dotted with white pools of snow, slowly melting in the sun. Water from the melting snow accumulates on the dirt road, making it dangerous to drive through.

The landscape is breathtaking but desolate, with a few houses visible only because of their bright colours against the brown hills. There is nothing for miles in between and with no or very limited mobile connectivity.

Temperature In Tashigang

During the summer months, temperatures in Tashigang range from five to 20 degrees Celsius. However, the mercury can drop due to sudden weather changes. Winters are harsh and inhospitable, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 35 degrees Celsius. The hills remain buried in snow, and the only dirt road connecting Tashigang to Kaza remains closed, confining families to their mud-and-brick homes for six months. The low oxygen concentration at high altitudes can cause breathing issues. The icy-cold conditions also pose a challenge.

Infrastructure In Tashigang

There is no hospital, clinic, school, or market in Tashigang. Residents travel to Kaza, about 30 kilometres away, for medical and other needs.

Polling Booth And Village Decoration

The yellow-coloured polling station with the tricolour painted on its front is perched high on a hill, bleakly empty. There is barely any vegetation, except for wild grasses. "Highest polling station of India, Tashigang - 72. Altitude - 4,650 metres," reads a message painted in blue and white on the front wall. The one-storey polling station has two rooms on each side, recently painted bright yellow.

A vehicle carrying blankets and mattresses for the polling team and security personnel has been arranged. Women from the state's public works department helped unload them. On the ground floor, men and women PWD workers prepared tea and dinner for the polling team and security personnel.

A pink-and-white tent has been set up as a sitting area for the voters. On voting day, the entire polling team and the voters wore beautiful traditional Chuba attire. A lunch was organised for the voters. They took selfies at a selfie point set up against the backdrop of brown hills and a bright blue sky.

Security and Logistics In Tashigang

Due to its proximity to the China border, Tashigang booth is designated as a sensitive area. Special security arrangements include deploying 168 police and paramilitary forces. Polling parties have been transported to 29 polling booths across the Spiti region using HRTC buses and tempo travellers, with additional reserves in place. Notably, three pink polling booths, managed solely by women, have been established in Spiti.

Tashigang's Voting Details

The polling booth in Tashigang experiences heavy snowfall for about five months each year. Despite the harsh conditions, the 62 residents (37 men and 25 women) are committed to achieving 100 per cent voter turnout in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Tashigang's Polling Station History

This is the fourth time voting has been held in Tashigang, which has been in the record books since 2019 as the highest polling station in the world. The Tashigang polling booth was first introduced during the 2021 Lok Sabha bye-elections, initially serving 52 voters. It continued to see full participation in the 2022 Assembly elections. This year, with 62 voters, the community aims to maintain its record of 100 per cent turnout.