NEHARIKA NEUREKER & VERLON MEDEIRA 

PANJIM: These are the voters, who have seen the fall and rise of several political leaders, their parties and also government. They have also witnessed the switch from ballot paper to electronic voting machines (EVMs). Despite severe heat, ignoring their health problems, the senior citizens turned out in large number to cast their vote in the Lok Sabha elections on April 23 in fact the right that many have not missed to use for several decades. 

While some in their early 60s and 70s turned up on their own, several others were escorted by their family members to polling booths to cast their votes.  

As per the records available with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), over 24,000 voters, above the age of 80 years are registered as voters. Also, there are over two lakh voters in the age group of 61-79 years. 

Eighty-four-year-old Hardik Bhagat, said, “It is important for us to see what is right and what is wrong. We have seen different parties forming the government and we tend to know better than the younger generation that would make their choice on the basis of what they hear and what they see, but we make ours on the basis of experience”.

Eighty-one-year old Edwin D’Mello from Margao first cast his vote in 1963, soon after Liberation. Stating that he was also part of voting during Opinion Poll in January 1967, he said “I have cast my vote again this election. This may be the last election for me. But I am happy that I have made my choice…no matter who wins…but I am happy”. 

CEO had ensured that senior citizens get preference while voting. Facilities like drinking water, wheel chairs etc. were made available across all 1652 polling stations. Transport was also provided for the senior citizens to reach the polling booth and volunteers were deployed to help the elders if need be. 

“The process was very systematic and no senior citizen had any problem at all. They gave us the first preference”, said 70-year-old Annie D’Souza from Dona Paula. 

Election authorities have also expressed happiness the way senior citizens came out in large to exercise their franchise. “We don’t have the exact figure for now, but yes good number of senior citizens turned up. The maximum number of senior citizens turned up early morning,” the officer said.