Porters act as vital links between polling parties, electors in Arunachal

Itanagar: A remnant of the British Raj, the Auxiliary Labour Corps (ALCs), also known as porters, still act as vital links between election personnel and people in Arunachal Pradesh as they are tasked with carrying polling materials, ration items and transporting EVMs to remote areas of the mountainous state, officials said.Around 3,000 ALCs are being deployed this time to assist polling parties to reach 228 booths in the state, which are almost inaccesible they said.“We are dependent on them to transport election materials to inaccessible polling stations where foot march is required,” chief electoral officer Pawan Kumar Sain said.Trekking the rugged and almost inaccessible terrains of the state, ALCs serve as a bridge between the govt and the people and ensure that the polling process goes smoothly, joint CEO Liken Koyu said.The ALCs were first appointed by the British to carry materials. After Arunachal Pradesh attained statehood in 1987, the regular appointment of ALCs was stopped. They are now recruited temporarily.Services of ALCs are required at the time of transporting public distribution system (PDS) materials and opening new administrative centres during polls, Koyu said.In 2019, the election office hired 2,100 ALCs, while 1,400 were deployed during the 2014 elections, the officials said.“Around 3,000 ALCs will be inducted this time to assist polling personnel in 228 polling stations in the state,” he saidBesides, casual labourers would also be deployed to assist election personnel.Arunachal Pradesh has 228 remote and almost-inaccessible polling stations.PTI

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