2 women centurians among a dozen first voters

Ganderbal (Kashmir), Nov 23 (UNI) Two woman centurians were among a dozen elderly voters, who turned up for polling early while first timers were also seen eager to cast their ballots for development and peace.

However, the minus two degree minimum temperature this morning delayed polling in several booths as the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) were not functioning due to the lack of heating arrangements.

''I have participated in all the polls since the election process started in this constituency, said Faatha a 100-year-old woman, who was helped by her grand children to reach the polling station at Khranhama.

She said, ''Despite warning by my family members that the temperature was freezing outside, I was ready at 0700 hrs to cast my vote.'' Out of 697 voters, 216 votes had been polled during the first three hours in the polling station.

Without divulging the name, she said she voted in favour of her candidate, who will work for the development of the area.

Another centurion old Bibi also cast her vote in a polling booth at Lar, where a 90-year-old Bakthi cast her vote alongwith other family members.

Though they had came at 1030 hrs, voters allowed both the elderly woman to cast their vote first.

Ghulam Rasool (80) was also among the first to cast his vote in a polling station at Duderhama in Ganderbal constituency. Jana Bibi and Khatiji, both in their 90's cast their votes.

Mushtaq Ahmad, a handicapped also was among first to cast his vote in the Lar.

Indian National Congress candidate, Sheikh Ishfaq Ahmad and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Qazi Mohammad Afzal cast their votes.

The first time voters were also among those, who had reached polling booths before 0800 hrs, the schedule time of polling.

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