Senior citizens lead from the front, first-time voters amazed

Jaswant Shetra

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 19

Senior citizens and first-timers voters and exercised their right to vote in Jagraon and Dakha during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls today. 

Elderly voters appeared more enthusiastic as compared to young voters during the polling process as a large number of senior citizens were seen standing in queues at various polling stations.

The elderly persons assisted by their family members started thronging the polling booths early in the morning. At several polling stations, old- age voters outnumbered the youngsters.

“I have always exercised my franchise. Despite being in poor health, I could not resist myself from voting. The democracy has given us the power to elect the government and we should use it,” said 92-year-old Bhag Singh, who voted at a polling booth in Government Senior Secondary School, Jagraon.

On the other hand, young voters seemed less enthusiastic towards exercising their franchise. “When I was young, there used to be a lot of enthusiasm among youngsters for elections but these days, the young voters have lost interest in election process. Youngsters may me dejected due to indifferent attitude of politicians towards solving problems. They should understand that elections give us the power to throw out those leaders who have failed to perform,” quipped 80-year- old Nek Singh.

Lovleen Bains

Doraha, May 19

Polling was largely peaceful in Doraha and Sahnewal today. SDM Amarjit Singh Bains said no incident of booth capturing or clash was reported.

“In most of the villages, voters seemed less enthusiastic and the pace picked up in the evening. Elderly and youngsters were more excited to exercise their franchise,” said the SDM.

In Doraha, voting was largely peaceful. “I had a wonderful feeling while voting for the first time. I had heard about a democratic set up but experienced it,” said first-time voter Gurveer Singh Mundi of Kaddon village.

Nachattar Singh of Begowal village who could not walk called his friend Sukminder to take him to the polling station. A 106-year-old Joginder Kaur of Rampur village was accompanied by her grandson said, “I cannot hear and see but I cannot think of not voting till I am alive.” 

Mahesh Sharma

Raikot/ Payal/ Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 19

Polling passed off peacefully in the region with women and youngsters showing extraordinary enthusiasm to exercise their franchise during the 2019 General Election.

Crusade launched by the district administration under the SVEEP programme to raise awareness among the voters was cited to be a major factor.

Voting for election to the Ludhiana constituency (Gill and Dakha) and the Fatehgarh Sahib constituency (Raikot, Payal and Amargarh) was peaceful. Barring some odd incidents of heated arguments among activists of the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, no untoward incident was reported.

The office-bearers and activists of various political outfits could be seen interacting with each other at the polling booths throughout the day. 

Senior leaders of the Congress and SAD were seen sitting at a same booth at Latala village which is the native town of former Congress legislator Jasvir Singh Jassie. However, the leaders wore badges of their respective parties.

At Sihar village, a stronghold of the Congress, no other party set up the booth. 

Activists of the Kirti Kisan Union led by Tirlochan Singh had set up booths to persuade voters to choose NOTA at Jhordan and Pherurain villages in Raikot segment.