Kullu: Himachal Pradesh's small village Tashigang located at a height of 4,650 metres in Lahaul and Spiti district will witness its first panchayat elections in January. At present, Tashigang polling station is situated at a height of 15,256 feet above the sea level conducting elections here is a big challenge for the state election commission.
Tashigang witnessed its last panchayat elections in November.
Tashigang, a Buddhist-dominated region, falls under Langcha gram panchayat of Hikam village and it was the polling booth for 2017 Vidhan Sabha elections. Tashigang also holds the title of the highest valley in Spiti valley.
Earlier, the tiny settlement of Hikkim, at an altitude of about 14,400 ft, was the highest polling station in the country.
The temperatures in Tashigang drop below -29 degree Celcius in January and the area also lacks good mobile connectivity.
Rangcha, Losar, Hull and Keurig villages of Pin Valley, Kungri village in Spiti Valley witnesses heavy to very heavy snowfall, thus disrupting road connectivity.
Block Development Officer of Kaja Mahendra Pratap Singh said, "We have made 38 polling booths in 13 panchayats. Tashigang located at a height of 4,650 metres is the highest polling station in the world."
Hectic election activities are on in Himachal Pradesh as the state will have the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections in three phases in January next. The elections are to be held on January 17, 19 and 21 for which the nomination papers may be filed from 11 am to 3 pm from December 31 to January 2.
