Trailblazing Woman Officer Leads Election Operations in Mandi's Challenging Terrain

Rewati Saini: A Pioneer in Election Management

Munish Sood
Mandi

In a remarkable demonstration of dedication and evolving gender roles in public service, Rewati Saini has distinguished herself as one of the pioneering female Sector Officers in Mandi district, successfully managing election operations in some of the most remote and challenging polling stations during the ongoing Panchayati Raj elections.

Currently serving as the District Language Officer in Mandi, Saini has taken on the role of Sector Officer for the Katoula sector in the Sadar Block, an area characterized by its difficult terrain, scattered settlements, and high-altitude polling sites. This role, traditionally assigned to male officers due to its demanding nature, necessitated extensive travel through mountainous roads, forest paths, and remote villages located between 7,000 and 9,000 feet above sea level.

The sector encompasses seven panchayats and 43 polling stations, stretching across a vast mountainous region from the Uhl valley near Kamand to the higher elevations of Tehri and Parashar. Villages within this sector include Segli, Tehri, Katoula, Sakrayar, Kamand, Navalay, and Riyagari, among others.

As the Sector Officer, Saini was tasked with ensuring the seamless execution of polling operations. This included inspecting polling stations, coordinating with election personnel, ensuring the availability of election materials, monitoring voting arrangements, and overseeing the secure transport of ballot boxes to designated strong rooms post-polling.

The role required long hours and significant travel. On polling days, she often departed home before dawn to arrive at remote polling stations in time for voting to begin at 7 a.m. Many polling locations, such as Sakrayar, Arnehad, Solang, Kundakh, Neri, Nishu, Baroun, Tehri, Lanjhanu, Bodandhar, and Darlog, are situated in rugged high-altitude areas, necessitating navigation through narrow roads and steep mountain paths.

Even after the polls closed, her duties extended late into the evening as she supervised the collection and transport of ballot boxes for the Block Development Committee and Zila Parishad elections to the strong room in Mandi, often returning home near midnight.

Reflecting on her experience, Saini expressed that the assignment provided invaluable professional exposure and reinforced her belief in women's capabilities to handle any responsibilities assigned to them.

“There is no task that women cannot accomplish. This election duty allowed me to learn, gain field experience, and understand the realities faced by residents in some of the district’s most isolated areas. I am thankful to the administration for trusting me with this responsibility,” she stated.

She emphasized that the experience also deepened her understanding of the resilience and challenges encountered by individuals living in remote mountain communities.

Saini’s adept management of election duties in one of Mandi district’s most challenging sectors has been widely recognized as a testament to the increasing role of women in frontline governance and election management. Her performance highlights the growing confidence in women officers to lead critical field assignments, even under the most demanding circumstances.

As the Panchayati Raj elections progress across Himachal Pradesh, her achievement serves as a notable example of commitment, professionalism, and the expanding involvement of women in essential administrative roles.