Elderly lead the way, urge youth to vote

The scorching summer afternoon may have provided an excuse for many Delhi residents to not come out and vote.

However, notwithstanding such limitations, the elderly voters in Delhi came in substantial number to exercise their democratic right.

Many octogenarian voters were accompanied by their grand children. There were also some who came to cast their votes despite their frail health.

Among such voters was 86-year-old CR Khanna of Saket. Khanna's son said that though his mother was in ICU, his father felt the responsibility to come out and cast his vote.

"I have a strong political ideology and I feel that it is important to express it but this is my personal choice. I feel that every citizen who is eligible to vote must exercise his right as this shows that the citizen is not only concerned about his progress but also fellow citizens," said Khanna.

Many polling booths, including those in Civil Lines and GTB Nagar, lacked the basic facility of wheelchairs for senior citizens, which caused hindrance for them to vote.

Vehicles with senior citizens were also not allowed beyond the main entrance gate of the polling station, leaving them with no option but to walk all the way to the booth.

Pushpa Mohindra, a nonagenarian woman and a retired principle of a government school, was seen boldly casting her vote at the Civil Lines polling booth. She could barely walk but was helped by police officials and her family member, who almost had to lift her.

"Senior citizens come in huge numbers to cast their votes. If nothing else, a wheelchair should be present at every booth to help aged people like us," Mohindra said.

Meanwhile, 52-year-old Praveen Kumar came well-equipped to his polling booth, with his wheelchair accompanied by his daughter-in-law.

Kumar expressed his happiness on the governance of the ruling party and showed full support.

Polling booths in GTB Nagar seemed to have almost the same condition as those in Civil Lines. An elderly voter, assisted by his grandson Rajeev, was a first-time voter and seemed clueless on his way to reach the booth.

"It feels as if the Election Commission has forgotten that senior citizens come to cast their votes. How can my grandfather manage to stand in such a rising temperature with no wheelchair?" said Rajeev.