SHIMLA: The State Election department is all equipped to celebrate the ‘International Day of Older persons’ by honouring the elderly and centenarian voters of the State. “We are going to honour the elderly and centenarian voters of the State who have been the witness of changing times, right from the times of ballot paper till the adoption of new technology and who have inspired the generations and made them understand the value of every single vote” said Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Maneesh Garg here today.
Elderly voters to be felicitated : CEO
The elderly people have always remained the true pillars of democracy and have played a pivotal role in strengthening Indian democracy, said Garg, adding that the Election Commission of India, in its unique initiative have decided to honour them in every district for their incessant contribution in electoral process and facilitate them to sustain their participation, said the CEO.
those above 80 years of age will be honored in the functions to be organised at district and sub-divisional headquarters and the centenarians will be honoured at their home unless they are fit enough and willing to come for the above programmes which will continue for two or three days from 1st October onward, stated CEO. It is a matter of pride for Himachal Pradesh that the First voter of Independent India, Shri Shyam Saran Negi is still contributing in the electoral process and inspiring the masses to participate in this ‘UTSAV-Celebrating Democracy’, said Sh. Garg.
The State Election department will be utilizing 1st October 2022-International day for older persons to honour and felicitate elderly voters. As of now, State has 122093 voters who are above 80 years of age and about 1190 of them are above the age of 100 years. If we talk about Assembly constituencies (ACs) in particular, Sullah assembly constituency in District Kangra has 2936 elderly while Fatehpur AC of District Kangra has 72 centenarian voters which are highest in the state, as per the record.
