With the Gujarat assembly elections around the corner, the entire state is engulfed in election fever, but the residents of Raj Samadhiyala village in Rajkot district are free from these political dramas as they have barred entry of political parties and campaigning in the village because they think that allowing candidates to campaign would be detrimental to the region.
No political party can enter the village as they have been banned from campaigning. Raj Samadhiyala village, which is 20 km away from Rajkot, not only banned political campaigning but also imposed a fine of Rs 51 on those who did not come out to vote in order to ensure maximum participation at the time of elections.
Villagers are bound by several rules and regulations framed by the Village Development Committee (VDC), and breaking any of these invokes a monetary fine, one of which is not casting a vote during elections.
The village’s voting rate has been close to 100 percent, and those who deliberately do not vote face a Rs 51 fine.
The sarpanch of the village is also elected by consensus. The Sarpanch of the village says that with this decision, almost 100 percent of voting takes place here.
