Theni: A polling booth at Vellimalai, a hill vilage in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district has just five registered voters. Polling officials will trek three hours through dense jungle terrain to reach it, highlighting the extraordinary lengths taken to ensure every citizen’s voting rights, even in Tamil Nadu’s most inaccessible forest regions. In accordance with Election Commission regulations—which permit the establishment of a polling station even if there is only a single voter—this center is being prepared with all essential amenities for Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2026 scheduled on April 23.
A village isolated by forest and terrain
Surrounded by dense forests and arduous mountain trails, the village of Vellimalai has garnered unique attention during this election cycle. Located approximately 1,650 meters above sea level, this village lies within the boundaries of the Srivilliputhur-Meghamalai Tiger Reserve, falling under the Andipatti constituency of Theni district. The location can be reached only by traveling through reserved forest areas, passing beyond the village of Kumanan Thozhuvu via Varusanadu. While vehicular access is possible for a portion of the journey, a trek of several kilometers becomes mandatory thereafter. Traversing the 12-kilometer stretch along old dirt tracks takes over three hours; factors such as rainfall and the presence of wildlife make this route even more arduous.
A shrinking population, an unwavering commitment to voting
Once home to hundreds of residents, this area now wears a desolate look. As many families who once worked in plantations cultivating crops such as cardamom, coffee, and cloves have since migrated, only a handful of workers remain living there today. Currently, the electoral roll lists just five individuals—Senthil, Jayarani, Paul, Sudha, and Rohit—all residents of a single estate, as eligible voters.
For the benefit of these five individuals, the local Duraisamy Maragatham Government-Aided School has been designated as the polling station. Although the school currently faces a situation where it imparts instruction to a single student, a rare confluence has emerged where the realms of education and electoral democracy converge within the very same premises.
Defying Challenges, Upholding Democracy
Adhering to the Election Commission’s mandate that a polling station may be established even for a solitary voter, this center is being readied with a full complement of basic amenities. Despite poor road conditions and limited medical facilities, the local residents lead their lives with quiet composure. Although traveling to neighbouring areas remains a challenge, the estate administration is fulfilling their basic necessities to a certain extent. Defying all challenges, the establishment of a dedicated polling station for the sake of just five individuals stands as a testament to the unwavering resolve of India’s electoral system. Vellimalai serves as a fresh reminder that, even where the population is sparse, democratic rights remain undiminished.