Kulgam, May 19: The home voting facility brought cheer and relief to 91-year-old Abdul Gani of Kulgam who exercised franchise using the Home Voting facilities introduced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the first time in the LokSabha Elections- 2024.
The Home Voting for the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary seat commenced on Sunday, May 19th. The Kulgam district, part of this parliamentary constituency, had 65 voters which included senior citizens and specially-abled persons who opted for the Home Voting facility.
Abdul Gani, a senior citizen, cast his vote at home and expressed gratitude to the administration for facilitating his electoral process and ensuring that he fulfills his right to vote.
He said, “I am thankful that I got the opportunity to cast my vote as the polling party arrived at my home. Being 91 years old, it would have been difficult for me to visit the polling station on polling day,” he said, adding that he cast his vote without any hassle.
District Election Officer (DEO) Kulgam, AtharAamir Khan, flagged off the poll parties assigned for the Home Voting facility. He said that the poll parties visit the homes of voters who opted for the home facility, specifically senior citizens (85 years or older) and specially-abled voters.
“Voting is responsibility of every citizen, and we should fulfill this duty. For the upcoming poll day on May 25th, we have already made arrangements in Kulgam. All polling stations in Kulgam have assured facilities including ramps, drinking water, sanitation, and wheelchairs. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure free, fair, and smooth elections,” he said.
Javaid Ahmad Padder, a specially-abled person from the Kulgam Constituency thanked the election polling party that visited his home and assisted him in casting his vote with ease.
Padder said that he was grateful for having the opportunity to cast his vote for the candidate he supports.
Notably, the home voting facility provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for senior citizens and specially-abled voters has made voting more accessible. This initiative has enabled these voters, who might face hurdles in visiting polling stations, to participate in the electoral process.
