Archive · 25 Jul 2026
Codava Council Seeks Separate Polling Booths
The Codava National Council (CNC) has asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to set up separate polling stations at every Kodava ancestral home and sacred shrine in Kodagu district.
They say the area's tough terrain and heavy rains make it hard for people to reach existing polling booths, which can be up to 15 km away.
The CNC wants polling stations to be set up at all 842 ancestral homes and 300 sacred shrines to make voting easier and ensure everyone can vote.
They also want a survey to map these locations and for the homes to be recognized as official polling places.
The ECI has not yet responded, but they have set up polling stations for single voters in remote places before, so they might consider the CNC's request.
The Codava National Council (CNC) has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to establish separate polling stations at every Kodava ancestral home and sacred shrine in Kodagu district.
The CNC argues that the unique geography and cultural identity of the Kodava community warrant special electoral arrangements.
The rugged terrain and heavy monsoon in Kodagu make access to existing polling stations difficult, with some voters having to travel between 10 km and 15 km.
The CNC has requested the establishment of polling stations at all 842 ancestral homes and 300 sacred shrines to ensure near-100% voter participation.
The CNC has also called for a survey to map these locations and recognition of ancestral homes as authorized polling locations under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- Who
- Codava National Council (CNC)
- What
- Request for separate polling booths at ancestral homes and sacred shrines
- When
- Not specified
- Where
- Kodagu district, Karnataka, India
- Why
- Unique geography and cultural identity of the Kodava community
Codava National Council
Election Commission of India
Need for Separate Polling Booths
Codava National Council
The CNC argues that the unique geography and cultural identity of the Kodava community warrant special electoral arrangements, including separate polling stations at every ancestral home and sacred shrine.
Election Commission of India
The ECI has not yet responded to the CNC's request, but it has previously set up polling stations for single voters in remote locations, suggesting a potential openness to similar arrangements.
- Organization
- Codava National Council (CNC)
- Location
- Kodagu district, Karnataka, India
- Request
- Separate polling stations at 842 ancestral homes and 300 sacred shrines
- Reason
- Unique geography and cultural identity of the Kodava community
- Current Polling Booth Distance
- 10 km to 15 km from some voters
- ECI Guideline
- Polling booths should normally be within a 2-km radius
- Potential Impact
- Near-100% voter participation and strengthened democratic inclusion