90-year-old Sr Mary Lawrence and Sr Mary Merceline happily pose after exercising their franchise by opting to vote from home in Mangaluru.
Credit: DH Photo/ Fakruddin H
Mangaluru: A total of 6658 senior citizens above 85 years and persons with disabilities (PwD) have exercised their franchise from home in Dakshina Kannada.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) had given the option to vote from home for those above 85 year old and above 40% PwD voters during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
So far, a total of 8,010 senior citizens and PwD voters have opted to vote from home. Of this number, only 5,011 senior citizens and 1,647 PwD voters have exercised their franchise till Tuesday, April 16.
An ailing bed-ridden senior citizen patient at Falnir also exercised their franchise from home.
In fact, Dakshina Kannada has the credit of the highest number of senior citizens and PwD voters opting to vote from home in the district, said Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP.
The DC had even visited a few houses where the voters exercised their franchise at Pandeshwara and Kudroli areas in Mangauru. The voting commenced at 7 am and as per the time table prepared, officials visited the houses to facilitate the casting of votes.
District Sveep committee President and ZP CEO Dr Anandh K said officials had made arrangements for voting from home. Many have shared their happiness over being allowed to vote from home, without visiting the polling stations.