In a historic event for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, seven individuals belonging to the Shompen tribe, recognised as a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTGs) inhabiting the Great Nicobar Islands, exercised their voting rights for the first time.

According to an official statement, these Shompen tribe members cast their votes at polling station 411, named 'Shompen Hut', located within the forest staff quarters. Moreover, they enthusiastically participated in capturing selfies at a designated cut-out provided by the Election Commission of India, bearing the message "I vote for sure".

To facilitate communication in their native language, the Shompen tribes received assistance from an interpreter known as 'Mathiyas', a Nicobari tribal youth.

Chief Electoral Officer B.S. Jaglan, speaking to PTI, confirmed that for the first time, seven members of the Shompen tribe exercised their voting rights. Prior to the election, they received training on EVMs and VVPATs from a dedicated trainer. Jaglan expressed satisfaction at their participation, noting that it was encouraging to witness them emerge from the jungle to cast their votes for the first time.

According to the 2011 census, the Shompen tribe had a population of 229 individuals. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) noted that, unlike in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, seven members of the Shompen tribe exercised their voting rights for the first time out of a total of 98 Shompen voters.

An election official reported that nearly 91 percent of voting occurred at Dugong Creek, where the Onge primitive tribes reside exclusively in a reserved forest area. Returning Officer Arjun Sharma stated that out of 68 Onge individuals, 62 voted, including 35 males and 27 females.

Similarly, Strait Island, an exclusively restricted area for the Great Andamanese tribe, witnessed 100 percent voting. Sharma further added that all 39 members of the Great Andamanese tribe exercised their voting rights.

The Union Territory (UT) has a total of 3,15,148 voters, including 1,64,012 males, 1,51,132 females, and four voters in the third gender category. This includes 39 members of the Great Andamanese tribe from Strait Islands, 68 Onge tribes at Hut Bay, and 98 Shompen tribes from Great Nicobar Island.

Twelve candidates, comprising two women and five independents, will compete for the solitary Lok Sabha seat across 412 polling stations. However, the primary contest lies between Congress candidate and incumbent MP Kuldeep Rai Sharma and BJP nominee Bishnu Pada Ray.

Image source: ANI