NEW DELHI: In a rare show of appreciation and gratitude towards Shyam Saran Negi, India’s first voter who participated in elections held over the last 70 years including voting for the 2022 Himachal assembly poll three days before his death, chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Saturday travelled to his village in Kalpa Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh to meet his bereaved family and pay him floral tributes.
Expressing his deep condolences on the demise of 106-year-old Negi, Kumar sought to salute his exemplary spirit and faith in democracy.
“Negi ji had been casting his ballot for over 70 years and even before he breathed his last, he fulfilled his duty as a voter by voting through postal ballot mode on November 2. His dedication and sense of duty should be an example for the country’s young voters to emulate. It will be a true tribute to the departed soul if we wholeheartedly participate in the ensuing election and strengthen the foundation of our democracy,” he stated.
The CEC urged all voters in Himachal Pradesh to come forward to vote on November 12, when polling in the state will be held.
Kumar on Saturday conveyed his gratitude to the country’s over 1.8 crore voters above 80 years of age, particularly the 2.5 lakh centenarian voters, for their contribution in laying the foundation of a strong democracy. He said that the sustained participation of elders in the polls helped to ensure free, fair, transparent, inclusive and smooth elections.
During CEC’s conversation with Negi’s family members in Kinnaur on Saturday, his son recalled a gratitude letter his father had recently from the CEC. He informed that Negi, after reading the letter, had declared his intent to encourage youngsters in his family to actively participate in the festival of democracy.
It may be recalled that the CEC had, only recently coinciding with International Day of Older Persons, written a gratitude letter to all centenarian voters across the country.
Expressing his deep condolences on the demise of 106-year-old Negi, Kumar sought to salute his exemplary spirit and faith in democracy.
“Negi ji had been casting his ballot for over 70 years and even before he breathed his last, he fulfilled his duty as a voter by voting through postal ballot mode on November 2. His dedication and sense of duty should be an example for the country’s young voters to emulate. It will be a true tribute to the departed soul if we wholeheartedly participate in the ensuing election and strengthen the foundation of our democracy,” he stated.
The CEC urged all voters in Himachal Pradesh to come forward to vote on November 12, when polling in the state will be held.
Kumar on Saturday conveyed his gratitude to the country’s over 1.8 crore voters above 80 years of age, particularly the 2.5 lakh centenarian voters, for their contribution in laying the foundation of a strong democracy. He said that the sustained participation of elders in the polls helped to ensure free, fair, transparent, inclusive and smooth elections.
During CEC’s conversation with Negi’s family members in Kinnaur on Saturday, his son recalled a gratitude letter his father had recently from the CEC. He informed that Negi, after reading the letter, had declared his intent to encourage youngsters in his family to actively participate in the festival of democracy.
It may be recalled that the CEC had, only recently coinciding with International Day of Older Persons, written a gratitude letter to all centenarian voters across the country.
