Sankli Village's Electoral Boycott: 763 Residents Protest Decades of Infrastructure Neglect in Rajasthan

The residents of Sankli village staged a significant protest by refusing to participate in Rajasthan's Anta Assembly constituency election on Tuesday. Their collective boycott stemmed from long-standing frustration over governmental neglect.

In this remote village of Baran district, only a solitary vote was recorded among the approximately 763 inhabitants, creating an unusually quiet atmosphere while other polling stations across the constituency bustled with activity.

Villager Vinod Meena explained their predicament: "All five roads connecting Sankli to neighboring villages become submerged during monsoon season. We frequently find ourselves isolated from surrounding communities for extended periods."

This protest represents the culmination of what locals describe as decades of abandonment by authorities. Sonu, another resident, highlighted their dire circumstances: "We lack even a proper path to our cremation ground. When someone passes away, transporting the deceased through muddy, deteriorated routes becomes an additionally distressing experience."

Hariom, a local farmer, emphasized that their boycott was a deliberate, well-considered action rather than an impulsive decision. "We've repeatedly submitted formal requests and engaged with government officials. Prior to this election, we clearly warned the administration that we would withhold our votes if our basic needs remained unaddressed."

As a result, the village polling station remained deserted throughout election day - voting equipment untouched while election officials waited fruitlessly. The profound silence in Sankli served as a powerful reminder that meaningful democratic participation in rural India often depends first on fundamental infrastructure like roadways.

Despite the boycott in Sankli, electoral officials reported that voting proceeded peacefully throughout the remainder of the constituency, with participation gradually increasing throughout the day.