Port Blair
In a historic moment for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, seven members of the Shompen tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTGs) from Great Nicobar Islands, exercised their voting rights for the first time in the union territory’s lone Lok Sabha seat election, confirmed an official.
At polling station 411, known as the ‘Shompen Hut,’ situated within the forest staff quarters, the Shompen tribe members cast their votes and even took selfies at a special cut-out provided by the Election Commission of India, displaying the message – I vote for sure. They were aided in their language by an interpreter, referred to as ‘Mathiyas,’ a Nicobari tribal youth.
B.S. Jaglan, Chief Electoral Officer, expressed satisfaction, stating that this marked the first instance of seven Shompen tribe members exercising their voting rights. Training on EVMs and VVPATs had been provided earlier to ensure their participation. The Shompen population, according to the 2011 census, stands at 229 individuals.
The election also saw the participation of other primitive tribes like the Onge and Great Andamanese, with all 39 Great Andamanese exercising their voting rights in an exclusively restricted area. Voting turnout was notable among the Onge tribe as well, with nearly 91% participating. Overall, the union territory has 3,15,148 voters, including members of various tribal communities, with the contest primarily between the Congress and BJP candidates for the Lok Sabha seat.
