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Dantewada bypoll: Enthusiastic voters turn up to cast votes

RAIPUR: Defying threats of Maoists and landmines, tribals from the interiors areas of Dantewada assembly constituency marched long distances and showed great enthusiasm to exercise their franchise on Monday.


The voters even turned up at the farthest polling station number 176 in Jangampal village to exercise their franchise.

A large number of women voters were also seen coming out of their homes early in the morning—standing in large queues outside the polling stations—to cast their votes . Women electorates said that they have reached polling stations early in the morning leaving their household works to give their contribution in strengthening the democracy of the country.

Besides, breaking the age barrier and setting an example for the youngsters who don’t cast their votes, many senior citizens arrived at different polling stations.

A 74-year-old voter, Gokul Yadav, reached polling booth number 85 in Awarabhata on wheelchair to exercise his franchise. Scout Guides helped him to reach polling booth and cast his vote. After exercising his franchise, Gokul left polling booth with all smiles saying that he is very happy to participate in this festival of democracy. Similarly, senior voters from old age home in Hiranar village enthusiastically reached polling booth number 48 in Hiranar to cast their votes. They encouraged other voters to exercise their franchise.

Some voters even reached on motorboats to cast their votes. A group of voters of polling booth number four Cherpal and polling booth number six Pahurnar crossed River Indravati on motor boats to reach shifted polling in Chhindnar to exercise their franchise. Similarly, the voters of Handawada and Hitawada polling booths in Narayanpur district crossed river on motorboats to reach shifted polling booth in Muchnar to cast their votes. Similarly, voters of Kaurgaon, Cherpal, Chote Karka, and Pahurnar villages also reached polling booths through motor boats to exercise their franchise. Home guards helped these voters to cross river. The arrangement of motorboats for voters was ensured by the district administration so that no voter would devoid of his or her right to vote.

Meanwhile, two former Maoists—Bhima Kancha and Neelu—who had recently surrendered before the police also exercised their franchise at a polling booth in Gumiyapal village in Kirandul area. After exercising his franchise, Bhima Kancha told local reporters that he had cast his voting through EVM for the first time.

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