A meeting to discuss the creation of six new polling stations and rationalisation of the existing ones in Shimla district was held under Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Anupam Kashyap on Saturday. Representatives of various political parties attended the meeting, where detailed information about the current polling stations was shared, and proposals were discussed in accordance with the election commission guidelines.
DC Kashyap informed the representatives that proposals have been received to establish six new polling stations across the district for voter convenience. These include setting up new polling stations at Government Primary School Aahong (108A-Aahong) and Government Primary School Dak Sharad (128A-Dak Sharad) under the 60-Chopal Assembly segment for elderly voters. In 64-Shimla Rural constituency, a new polling station at Government Primary School Sunni (11A-Sunni-II) is proposed due to the voter count exceeding 1,200. Similarly, in 65-Jubbal-Kotkhai, new polling stations are proposed at Mandhol (103A-Mandhol-II) and Nandpur (125A-Nandpur-II). Another new polling station (50A-Dattanagar-II) is proposed in the 66-Rampur constituency, where voter numbers have also crossed 1,200.
Meanwhile, the rationalisation of six polling stations was also discussed. This includes merging certain sections with nearby polling stations in Theog, Kasumpti, and Shimla Rural constituencies to balance voter distribution. Sources said that the relocation of 14 polling station buildings was also a part of the discussion in the meeting.
Kashyap said that due to poor structural conditions and construction work at some locations, 14 polling stations will be shifted to safer buildings. These include sites in Chopal, Kasumpti, Shimla Rural, Jubbal-Kotkhai, and Rohru constituencies. The shifts will ensure accessibility and safety for voters.
The Deputy Commissioner directed officials to ensure clear communication of any changes in polling station names or locations to voters to avoid confusion. Voter slips should mention both old and new names of polling stations in case of name changes.
All political party representatives expressed their consent to the proposals, which will now be forwarded to the Chief Electoral Officer for further action. The final list will be published after approval by the Election Commission.
Those present in the meeting included Sunil Vashishat from the CPI(M), Rajeev Pandit and Sharvan Kumar from the BJP, Harish from the BSP, and Suresh Kumar from the Congress, along with election officials and staff.
