The villagers that have two voter ID cards | Fusion - WeRIndia

While every citizen has one voter card, these villagers have two sets of identity proofs like voter cards, rations cards etc.

This is a common scene in Kotia cluster of villages lie on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The disputed area has 27 villages. They are north of the hills of Salur Mandal in Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh. However, neighbouring state Odisha claims 21 villages among them.

The dispute has been continuing since the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1952. Both states claim these villages. Still, the dispute is not resolved.

Despite both states approached the Supreme Court to resolve the issue, the court said that the Parliament could resolve the issue. It directed both state governments to maintain status quo till it gets resolved.

The Kotia area shares borders with Koraput in Odisha. All the voters in these villages are under the jurisdiction of Koraput ST (LS) and Pottangi ST (Assembly seat) in Odisha. Both are reserved seats. Similarly, in Andhra Pradesh, they come under the jurisdiction of Araku LS and Salur Assembly segment.

Meanwhile, around 5,400 eligible voters in Kotia villages have two voter ID cards and ration cards. They are getting pension and welfare scheme benefits from both the states.

The villagers exercise their voting rights twice. Since the elections are held on different dates in both states, they cast their vote twice.

However, in 2014, the elections were held on the same date for both the states. For the first time, they had to pick a single side

The dispute has been continuing since the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1952. Both states claim these villages. Still, the dispute is not resolved.

Although both states approached the Supreme Court to resolve the issue, the court said that the Parliament could resolve the issue. It directed both state governments to maintain status quo till it gets resolved.

The Kotia area shares borders with Koraput in Odisha. All the voters in these villages are under the jurisdiction of Koraput ST (LS) and Pottangi ST (Assembly seat) in Odisha. Both are reserved seats. Similarly, in Andhra Pradesh, they come under the jurisdiction of Araku LS and Salur Assembly segment.

Meanwhile, around 5,400 eligible voters in Kotia villages have two voter ID cards and ration cards. They are getting pension and welfare scheme benefits from both the states.

The villagers exercise their voting rights twice. Since the elections are held on different dates in both states, they cast their vote twice.

However, in 2014, the elections were held on the same date for both the states. For the first time, they had to pick a single side.

At that time, both the governments set up polling stations in addition to providing them with transportation and food.

The villagers say that both governments show their support during the polls, but they ignore the rest of the years.

During elections, both governments announce welfare schemes to attract the villagers. At that time, they use both the schemes.

Image by Sunil Bhaskaran from Pixabay (Fre for commercial use)

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/photos/tea-garden-hill-station-kerala-4070473/