Saturday, 20 April 2024 | PNS | HALDWANI/UTTARKASHI
Voting in the Lok Sabha election on Friday saw enthusiastic participation of both young and old voters in different parts of the State. There were several instances of young couples coming to the booth to vote either just before or soon after getting married while aged voters also took the effort to cast their votes despite various issues. A newly married couple reached the polling booth in Lalkuan area of Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar parliamentary constituency where the wife cast her vote. The duo was married late on Thursday night and came to cast their votes early the next day. Hailing from Gailiya village, Gayatri Chandola currently works in Bengaluru and got married to Bengaluru resident Ravi Shankar Tripathi late on Thursday night. She came to the polling booth before departing for Bengaluru to cast her vote. In the Gangolihat area of Pithoragarh district, Bhupendra first cast his vote before his wedding procession departed for Haldwani for his marriage. Similar instances were reported in various parts of the State including Uttarkashi and Pauri districts, among others, where either both or one of the bride and groom cast their votes taking time out from their wedding programmes.
The elderly voters also exhibited determination to cast their votes. In Uttarkashi district, 97-year-old Sher Das reached the polling booth in a doli (palanquin) to cast his vote. Das is currently living with his children in Brahmakhal area. He suffers from mobility issues but reached the polling booth in his Malna village in Yamunotri Assembly constituency to cast his vote. The doli was provided to him by the administration. The aged voter was also garlanded for his enthusiasm and determination to vote.
