How polling officials took a 107-kilometer winding route to help two elderly people vote

The voters are aged 100 and 86 years respectively and hail from Gadchiroli-Chimul constituency. (representative)

Gadchiroli, Maharashtra:

Election authorities in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district traveled 107 kilometers on a winding road through forests to allow two elderly people to vote for the Lok Sabha at their homes, officials said today.

The voters, aged 100 and 86, are from the Gadchiroli-Chimur constituency, which will go to polls in the first phase on April 19.

According to the Gadchiroli District Information Office, the Electoral Commission has given senior citizens over 85 years of age and individuals with disabilities above 40% the option to vote at home in the upcoming general elections.

The official said that under the initiative, electoral officials traveled 107 kilometers from Aheri to Sironcha to reach the homes of 100-year-old Kishtayya Madarboina and 86-year-old Kishtayya Komera, who have limited mobility but are keen to exercise its right to vote.

He said polling officials have approved the applications of 1,037 voters above the age of 85 and 338 “divyangs” in Gadchiroli-Chimul constituency to vote at home.

So far, 1,205 hometown voters have cast their ballots.

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