Malkangiri police bags award for improving voter turnout in Maoist-hit areas
Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday presented an award to Malkangiri police for its outstanding security arrangements and successful efforts in increasing voter turnout in the Maoist-affected district during the 2024 assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
At the 15th National Voters’ Day celebrations in New Delhi, former Malkangiri SP Nitesh Wadhwani accepted the award from Murmu. Malkangiri police’s initiative ‘Ama Swabhiman, Ama Vote‘ led to a significant 7.66% increase in voter turnout in 2024 compared to 2019. The trust-building initiative was implemented across 111 LWE-affected polling stations to boost electoral participation. The assembly constituencies of Malkangiri and Chitrakonda registered 76.35% and 75.92% turnout, respectively, in 2024, up from 72.94% and 68.26% in 2019.
A senior police officer said its achievement in security management earned Malkangiri police the award. DGP Y B Khurania acknowledged the recognition as a testament to the excellent election management.
Election Commission had identified Malkangiri as one of the country’s most Maoist-affected districts.
“The commission noted remarkable improvement in voting percentages, particularly in Swabhiman anchal within Chitrakonda constituency. This area previously served as a Naxal training location until early 2023,” said an officer at the chief electoral office here, adding that coordinated efforts enabled peaceful, incident-free elections, encouraging people to vote without intimidation.
Police officers noted that Malkangiri historically experienced low voter turnout due to Maoist threats, including EVM theft cases in 2014. “For the first time since Independence, 2024 simultaneous elections saw polling stations being set up in the most interior and erstwhile Maoist-affected villages. Around 26 booths were established for the first time in their respective areas. To ensure a conducive atmosphere for a fair, free, and safe election, ‘Ama Swabhiman, Ama Vote’ was a multi-pronged confidence-building and voter education activity,” said Wadhwani, who is now Rourkela SP.
At the 15th National Voters’ Day celebrations in New Delhi, former Malkangiri SP Nitesh Wadhwani accepted the award from Murmu. Malkangiri police’s initiative ‘Ama Swabhiman, Ama Vote‘ led to a significant 7.66% increase in voter turnout in 2024 compared to 2019. The trust-building initiative was implemented across 111 LWE-affected polling stations to boost electoral participation. The assembly constituencies of Malkangiri and Chitrakonda registered 76.35% and 75.92% turnout, respectively, in 2024, up from 72.94% and 68.26% in 2019.
A senior police officer said its achievement in security management earned Malkangiri police the award. DGP Y B Khurania acknowledged the recognition as a testament to the excellent election management.
Election Commission had identified Malkangiri as one of the country’s most Maoist-affected districts.
“The commission noted remarkable improvement in voting percentages, particularly in Swabhiman anchal within Chitrakonda constituency. This area previously served as a Naxal training location until early 2023,” said an officer at the chief electoral office here, adding that coordinated efforts enabled peaceful, incident-free elections, encouraging people to vote without intimidation.
Police officers noted that Malkangiri historically experienced low voter turnout due to Maoist threats, including EVM theft cases in 2014. “For the first time since Independence, 2024 simultaneous elections saw polling stations being set up in the most interior and erstwhile Maoist-affected villages. Around 26 booths were established for the first time in their respective areas. To ensure a conducive atmosphere for a fair, free, and safe election, ‘Ama Swabhiman, Ama Vote’ was a multi-pronged confidence-building and voter education activity,” said Wadhwani, who is now Rourkela SP.
