The right to vote has been granted to every citizen of the nation, but there are some who are unable to exercise their franchise due to varied factors. Many of those living in Prem Dham, home for the aged, will not be able to cast vote either due to old age problems or lack of conveyance.
Most of the elderly people residing in Prem Dham will not be able to cast their vote because they are either physically or mentally unfit. Few of them do not have any clue about the elections. Those who have a voter's slip, but are not fit to travel are, however, keen to cast their vote. They may have to make travel arrangements to the polling booth themselves.
The manager, sister Melvy, said that the inmates do not have access to conveyance for reaching the polling booths. At the most, an auto rickshaw might be arranged for those who cannot travel by themselves, she said. Prem Dham inmate Asha (68 years) said, "I will cast my vote, but I hope travel is arranged or I will have to walk in the heat and wait in a long queue for which I am too weak." R Goel who walks four kilometers everyday said, "I am fit to walk to the polling booth and I will definitely vote."
A few people in Prem Dham are happy with their lives there and have no expectations from the Government. Madhu said, "I am getting whatever I need here. The Government will not do anything for the aged. I am taking bed rest, so anyways I won't be able to vote."
Some of the inmates do not even have a voter's identity card. Shanti Vasu said that she never had a voter identity card so she will not vote. On the other hand, 85-year-old Vimla said that she used to cast vote when she
lived with her family, but now she doesn't know if she has a voter's slip or not. MS Mathur said that since he shifted to the old age home, his name is no longer on the electoral roll so he cannot cast his vote.
Those who were voters playing a decisive role in democracy in the past are now weak and suffering from old-age problems which prevent them from exercising their franchise. loss of memory, loss of vision, muscle impairment and other age related problems have handicapped many voters in Prem Dham and left them unable to participate in the polls.