Home voting initiative brings joy to elderly, PwD voters in Baramulla

Baramulla, May 14:  As the home voting process started across the 1-Baramulla parliamentary constituency on Monday, the beneficiary voters expressed their delight over the facility which enabled the designated voters aged 85 years and above and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to cast their vote.

As per the officials, 39 polling parties had been constituted for the purpose across the Baramulla district, with 16 designated for Uri, two each for Gulmarg and Baramulla, three each for Wagoora-Kreeri and Pattan, and five polling parties for Sopore.

In Baramulla district, a total of 449 voters are registered as elderly and PwD electors with over 40 percent facing disabilities.

Imtiyaz Ahmad, one of the designated elderly voters from Sopore, after casting his vote said that the authorities deserve appreciation for the privilege extended to such electors.

Ahmad said that he was not in a position to cast his vote at a polling booth owing to his health status, however, with the home voting facility he voted without any hard effort.

“Every citizen needs to participate in the voting process. If we want development and prosperity, we need to elect the right candidates, which is possible only through our vote,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad after casting his vote.

Afshana, a PwD after casting her vote said that it was the first time that she had cast her vote.

She said owing to her disability, she couldn't step out of home.

However, the facility has enabled her to become a first-time voter.

“I exercised my franchise without any stress,” said Afshana. “The facility provided by the authorities enabled me to cast my vote for the first time in my life.”