Idukki, Kerala:

Nine polling officials, three of them women, from Edamalakkudy in Kerala’s high Idukki district trekked 18 kilometers through dense forests teeming with wildlife to document a bedridden Citizens’ voting for the Lok Sabha polls.

In the tribal village of Edamalakkudy, deep in the dense forests of this mountainous region, lives 92-year-old Sivalingam. Although Sivalingam is old and bedridden, his determination to vote remains firm.

Officials said the 92-year-old was in tears after voting.

He has applied for the ‘vote at home’ facility through the booth level officer. The regional elections department subsequently approved his application and appointed a nine-person team to record the single vote at his home.

A team of nine poll officials, including three women, embarked on a challenging journey to reach their home in Sivalingam on Wednesday, they said. Their goal is simple: to ensure that everyone, no matter how far away, can participate in the democratic process.

They started from Munnar at 6 am and drove through the stunning Eravikulam National Park before reaching Keppakkadu near Pettimudi ), the entry point of Edamalakkudy.

From there, the journey was an arduous one, covering 18 kilometers over rugged terrain where wild animals roamed freely, officials said.

They hiked through dense forest, facing obstacles such as cobblestone paths and narrow trails. After a long journey, the team finally arrived at a hut around 1.15pm.

There are about 10 houses in this small tribal village, but no one is outside. This makes it difficult for officials to locate voters’ homes.

“Sivalingam had been struggling to sit up or talk when we met him. His house is a simple earthen structure covered with reeds. He is No. 246 of Stall No. 31 of Nuradhi village in the panchayat voters,” an official said.

They said a polling station was set up next to his bed so he could vote in complete privacy. He expressed the hope that his grandson would assist in voting.

After completing the voting process, Sivalingam bid farewell to the election officials with tears in his eyes.

Due to the threat of rain, the group decided to head back immediately after a quick snack.

Despite experiencing muscle cramps and fatigue, everyone was excited to successfully complete this challenging task.

The team consists of people from different majors, including Jisha Merin Jose from Munnar College of Engineering, M Asha from Munnar Vocational High School, etc.

Highlighting the importance of every vote, District Collector Sheeba George in a statement stressed that the Election Commission is committed to ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard, especially in Edhamalakudi (Edamalakudi) and other tribal areas.

The district administration aims to achieve 100 per cent voter turnout in Edamalakudy and hopes to increase voter participation across the district.

Devikulam Deputy Collector VM Jayakrishnan announced plans to honor the team for their dedication and successful completion of the challenging task of Edamalakudy.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)