Tura, Feb 26: Elections in India are revered world over as the greatest festival of democracy. Much fanfare is made about the strict arrangements for free and fair elections, and the arduous journeys taken by polling officials to reach the last voter in remote villages after navigating threacrous terrains.

However, such stories are read once and forgotten, with people not understanding the danger posed to polling officials on such journeys. Such efforts are simply taken as ‘part of the job’ and the Election Commission also seems to have a similar complacent attitude. Otherwise, the death of young Chesan Marak could have been avoided.

30-year-old Chesan Ch Marak of Chandmari Tura, who worked as the Technical Assistant for MGNREGA at Gambegre Block, had been deputed as second polling official for Jangrapara polling station in remote Raksamgre-Tikrikilla region. He had left Tura with his 8 member polling team from Tura on Saturday as part of the first batch of personnel deployed for duty. They were travelling in a Mahindra pik-up truck when the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to capsize, causing the death of Chesan. The accident took place at Potamati village. He was critically injured, and was taken to Guwahati for further medical treatment but passed away from his injuries early Sunday morning.

The election commission is being severely criticised for the poor arrangements made for transport of polling officials, especially a top a pik-up truck.

The last picture Chesan posted on social media was of him riding on the back of the pik up carrier before calamity struck.

This picture has since gone viral, being equated with EC, especially Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer’s absolute disregard for human life.

Questions are being asked as to why such vehicles were used for such an important purpose of duty. Given the fact that such vehicles are unsafe and often reported for accidents and causing loss of human life, the use of these vehicles by the election commission is shocking.

Mentionably, less than a week ago, five women lost their lives when the pik up they were travelling on for a TMC rally in Adokgre in North Garo Hills capsized after speeding.

“In view of last night’s tragedy we are also extending help by arranging vehicles to replace the pik ups for other poll parties,” said West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Vivekanand Singh Rathore.

This is a little late for the family of young Chesan Marak, who are devastated with their loss.

However, how the election commission owns up to this is yet to be seen, or if it will even acknowledge its fault. Or worse, will this be forgotten as part of the collaterals of the election process?

The fact remains that a precious life was lost in the line of duty and the election commission could have done a lot more to avoid such a tragedy if only it was a lot more conscious and meticulous.