polling-officers-trek-18-km-to-record-a-nonagenarian-s-vote-in-kerala

It was an 18-kilometer trek through the dense forest filled with wild animals for a team of nine polling officials, comprising three women, on Wednesday to record the vote of a bedridden citizen at Edamalakkudy in Kerala’s high-range district of Idukki for the Lok Sabha polls.

In the tribal village of Edamalakkudy, nestled deep within this hill district’s lush forests, lives 92-year-old Sivalingam. Despite his age and being bedridden, Sivalingam’s determination to vote remains strong.

Officials said tears welled up in the eyes of the nonagenarian after casting his vote.

He had applied for the “vote from home” facility through the booth level officer. The District Election Department then approved the application and appointed a nine-member team to record the single vote at his home.

They said a team of nine polling officials, including three women, undertook a challenging journey to reach Sivalingam’s home on Wednesday. Their goal was simple: to ensure everyone, no matter how remote, can participate in the democratic process.

Setting out from Munnar at 6 am, they travelled in vehicles through the breathtaking Eravikulam National Park before reaching Keppakkadu near Pettimudi, the entry point to Edamalakkudy.

From there, the journey was tough, spanning 18 kilometers through rugged terrain, where wild animals roam freely, officials said.

They trekked on foot through dense forests, facing obstacles like cobblestone paths and narrow trails. After a long journey, the team finally arrived at a hut around 1.15 in the afternoon.

“When we met him, Sivalingam had been struggling to sit up or speak. His house was a simple structure made of earth covered with reeds. He is the 246th voter of booth number 31 in the Nooradi hamlet of the panchayat,” an official said.

A polling booth was set up beside his bed, allowing him to vote in complete privacy, they said. He expressed his desire for his grandson’s assistance in voting.

After completing the voting process, Sivalingam bid farewell to the election officials with tears in his eyes.