COIMBATORE: This May is very special for 60-year-old Mary who stays in an old-age home in Podanur in Coimbatore. For the first time in her life she is going to cast her vote. She has been spending her days going through the newspaper and trying to figure out who to vote for.
"I have always wanted to vote. But since I am an orphan I never got an opportunity. I am uneducated and have worked all my life. Even in my last job where I worked as a maid, I always asked them if they could get me a voter-id but nobody obliged. But I am very happy this year," said a smiling Mary.
It is not just Mary. Many old and destitute people who haven't voted for several years will vote in Coimbatore district this year as the election officers are visiting old-age homes and have already registered 75 of the total 545 people they have identified so far. As per data, in Coimbatore district 16.58% of the voter population is above 60 years.
"We have recognised 33 old-age homes in the district so far. Out of the 817 inmates, 272 have been registered. We are working on getting the remaining enrolled in the voting list," said an official. In rest of the 32 old-age homes, enrolment camp is in progress.
"Senior citizens were euphoric to be involved in the process of election. We found that many lacked the interest to come to voting booth and many were too unwell to travel," said an official adding that it was not only about having a voter-id, but also having the enthusiasm to go to the booth and vote.
A S Mani, 73, who is an inmate of St Joseph's old-age home, said when he was in Mettupalayam, several MLAs and MPs have visited his barber shop. "I have attended to them. But in the past 50 years I never got an opportunity to vote."
Chandra, 80, who is a resident of Pollachi, said people who do not cast their vote are running away from their duty. "It is very important to vote. Until 10 years ago I had always voted. But after I fell sick, I couldn't travel and then I was left in an old-age home. But I am very happy that I would get an opportunity to vote this year," said Chandra adding that she had voted even for the panchayat elections when she was younger.
Govindsamy, 85, said youngsters need to realize that they could not control everything but that didn't mean they should not cast their vote. "It is our duty to vote and elect the government. Though there are not many good people in politics, we should analyse and cast our vote to ensure that our vote is not misused," he said.
"I have always wanted to vote. But since I am an orphan I never got an opportunity. I am uneducated and have worked all my life. Even in my last job where I worked as a maid, I always asked them if they could get me a voter-id but nobody obliged. But I am very happy this year," said a smiling Mary.
It is not just Mary. Many old and destitute people who haven't voted for several years will vote in Coimbatore district this year as the election officers are visiting old-age homes and have already registered 75 of the total 545 people they have identified so far. As per data, in Coimbatore district 16.58% of the voter population is above 60 years.
"We have recognised 33 old-age homes in the district so far. Out of the 817 inmates, 272 have been registered. We are working on getting the remaining enrolled in the voting list," said an official. In rest of the 32 old-age homes, enrolment camp is in progress.
"Senior citizens were euphoric to be involved in the process of election. We found that many lacked the interest to come to voting booth and many were too unwell to travel," said an official adding that it was not only about having a voter-id, but also having the enthusiasm to go to the booth and vote.
A S Mani, 73, who is an inmate of St Joseph's old-age home, said when he was in Mettupalayam, several MLAs and MPs have visited his barber shop. "I have attended to them. But in the past 50 years I never got an opportunity to vote."
Chandra, 80, who is a resident of Pollachi, said people who do not cast their vote are running away from their duty. "It is very important to vote. Until 10 years ago I had always voted. But after I fell sick, I couldn't travel and then I was left in an old-age home. But I am very happy that I would get an opportunity to vote this year," said Chandra adding that she had voted even for the panchayat elections when she was younger.
Govindsamy, 85, said youngsters need to realize that they could not control everything but that didn't mean they should not cast their vote. "It is our duty to vote and elect the government. Though there are not many good people in politics, we should analyse and cast our vote to ensure that our vote is not misused," he said.