For some, it was a point of pride or a sense of duty, and for some others, it was a lack of awareness as many senior citizens aged above 80 and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) came to the voting booths instead of choosing the novel postal ballot option provided to them during this year’s election. Across the State, it was a common sight for these people, including nonagenarians and centenarians, to arrive at the voting stations and either take the help of wheelchair or family members to cast their vote.
Nonagenarian Ameenabi Dhavalagi, 90, did not have the strength to stand for long but was keen to participate in the electoral process. “What is the use of my life if I do not vote?” she asked, sitting outside the polling booth on Gokul Road in Hubballi.
According to a release put out by the Election Commission prior to polling day, 76,120 of the total 12,15,920 senior citizens aged above 80, and 18,811 PwD out of total 5,71,281 had voted through the postal ballot method.
