In Khovripora, people vote for keeping the tradition going

Saida Begum, 85, slowly walks out of the polling booth set up in the Government High School in this remote village of Khovripora.

Begum has not missed out on any electoral exercise ever since she became eligible to vote.

Today again, braving the winter morning chill she was among the first to reach the polling booth and cast her vote for the District Development Council (DDC) polls.

“I know nothing changes because of my vote but I vote because wasting it is a sin,” she said.

Begum claimed that she has the distinction of voting in every election held in her lifetime – assembly, parliament, Panchayat, BDC, and now DDC.

Like begum, MoazimBhat, 92 too has voted in every election.

“I never received any monetary benefits or a job for myself or my kin yet I prefer to vote,” he said. “Voting has been a tradition in our village and we are keeping it alive.”

The women in the area had turned out in droves to vote for their favorite candidate.

Six from their gender were in the fray in this block reserved for the women.

“Every candidate we choose promises heavens but then delivers nothing on the ground. Let us hope this time, at least, some of our basic needs like roads, electricity, potable water supply, irrigation facility, quality healthcare and educational facilities are provided to us,” said 40-year-old Hafeeza.