Chenchupentas in the Nallamalla forest region of Nagarkurnool had their first-ever voting process since India gained independence. The voter turnout was impressive, with 75% of Chenchupentas participating. Nine polling stations were set up in the forested areas, allowing 290 voters from different Chenchupentas to vote.
The Chenchu community, which was once a stronghold of Naxalites, has undergone a transformative shift. They now recognize the importance of the Constitution and the election process and actively engage in choosing their leaders. Collector Uday Kumar commended the election staff for successfully managing the process at the specially established polling stations.
Previously, Chenchu voters had to travel 25 km to reach distant polling stations, which discouraged many from participating. However, with the establishment of new polling stations, voters expressed their joy over the convenience and accessibility provided. The Election Commission was praised for this monumental occasion, with seven new polling stations in Lingala mandal and two in Amrabad mandal serving the Chenchu tribal communities.
The District Election Officer (DEO), P Uday Kumar, took special initiatives to ensure that all Chenchu voters were able to vote comfortably. Each station had arrangements to record the voting process and provided necessary infrastructure for the polling staff.
