Centenarian Sadhu Charan Das, a resident of Bambilo village under Derabish block, is among India’s oldest voters. He says he is getting ready to cast his vote for the 16th time.
The 106-year-old man is a retired ranger in forest department. He has voted in every single election since 1952 when India held its first general election after Independence.
When asked which party he prefers Sadhu declines to disclose but he makes it clear that his vote will go to only him or her who can undertake development works in his locality. Asked to make his comment on the NOTA (None Of The Above) option in the EVMs, he says that we have not gone to that extent as to discard all contestants. He says that one should rather use his mind and select the best of the nominees.
But the retired centenarian is not sure whether he would be able to cast his vote as the polling station in his village has been shifted, which is 7 km away from his house.
So it would be a difficult task on his part to cast his vote possibly for the last time in his life span. If the district administration makes arrangements for him, then he is sure to move that far to cast his vote.
Similarly, Hrushikesh Jena (19), who is going to exercise his franchise for the first time, states that he would not be able to cast his vote as the polling booth from his house is about 7 km away.
“Earlier, I was excited a lot as it is going to be the first time I would cast my precious vote. But now I feel disappointed as the polling station has been shifted from our village and protesting this, our villagers have decided to boycott the polls,” he says.