Arunachal's Porters - Vital Links Between Polling Parties, Electors

Around 3,000 porters are being deployed this time to assist polling parties to reach 228 booths in the state, which are almost inaccesible they said.

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 government and the people and ensure that the polling process goes smoothly, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Liken Koyu said.