105-year-old woman casts vote in India
Sumitra Rai of Kamrang South District in Sikkim, went to vote, firm in the belief that her vote mattered
Times News Service
NEW DELHI: A 105-year-old woman in the Indian state of Sikkim was among those who cast her vote as the Indian elections began on Thursday.
Sumitra Rai, of Kamrang South District in Sikkim, went to the polls, firm in the belief that her vote mattered. Although she faced problems with her mobility, arriving at the polls in a wheelchair, Sumitra made sure she voted for her chosen candidate.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) said there was a “Centenarian citizen at polls! My Vote Matters, so says the oldest voter of Sikkim, Mrs Sumitra Rai (105), Kamrang South District.”
The 2019 Indian general election will be executed in seven stages from 11 April to 19 May 2019, with the votes expected to be counted on 23 May, and the results being announced on the same day. Some 900 million people are expected to vote in what is expected to be the largest ever voting exercise in the world.
“Everything can wait today but not your vote,” said the office of the election commission. “I have got inked. Have you? Go vote and make your vote count in strengthening of democracy.”
Although it was only the first day of voting, clashes have already been reported in some areas, and voters have detected faults with the electronic voting machines deployed at some polling stations. India’s Central Reserve Police Force has also deployed personnel to polling areas to ensure violence stays contained to a minimum, and to help people with disabilities cast their vote.
“CRPF personnel deployed in the first phase of General Parliamentary Elections 2019,” said the organisation.