Bhubaneswar: They might have forgotten their relative’s name, or struggling to recollect where they last left their glasses, but many seasoned voters in the Capital City knew it well they have to cast their votes in the elections, Saturday. Be it ballot papers or EVMs, they have exercised their franchise several times in Lok Sabha and Assembly election in their life time, and experienced many election seasons.
Orissa POST spoke to a cross-section of the veterans to know their voting experience and the differences they have witnessed in elections and the electoral process over the years. 90-year-old Braja Bandhu Panda from Rasulgarh has voted for more than 10 times in his life. He said earlier he used to vote by stamping on the ballot paper. “Now we have to press the button on the machine,” Panda said adding that despite his advance age, he still wanted to vote as the event occurs once in every five years. “We must celebrate the elections by participating in it. That is possible only with voting,” he said. Panda, who lives with his son and the latter’s family, said, “The new generation must also vote like the elders because without voting you can’t expect the change you want.” His son Nrusingha Charan Panda, who has voted for more than five times so far, said elections have changed considerably in last many years, and have become more technology-driven. Jharpada resident Sumati Nayak, 60, who has voted in elections multiple times, said, “Voting is our responsibility and we should not run away from it.”
Sabita Panda, 70, another veteran voter, said earlier people had to travel long distances to vote. There used to be little facility available at booths. “But now, voting has become very comfortable. There are facilities like wheelchair for the elderly, ‘vote from home’ facility and volunteers for help at booths. Those have made voting process easy for elder population,” she said.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP