In Kerala, a poll staff walks a bedridden man across a jungle for five hours to cast his ballot

The 92-year-old Sivalingam cast his ballot in the Lok Sabha elections on Wednesday despite having blurry eyesight and shaking hands. The nonagenarian, who lives in Nooradikudi, a tribal hamlet at the Edamalakkudi panchayat in Idukki, was in a good mood when he used a postal ballot to cast his ballot at the temporary polling place that election officials had put up at his home.

Sivalingam, who has spent a lot of time in bed, requested to vote by mail due to his health. His request was granted by the district election administration, which also appointed a team of nine poll workers to set up a location where he could cast his ballot.

The group, which included three female officials, had to walk through a deep jungle for eighteen kilometers in order to realize Sivalingam’s right to vote. By 8 a.m., they had left Munnar and arrived to Keppakkadu, which is close to Edamalakkudy. Four-wheelers could only get as far as Keppakkadu, so the authorities had to walk the remainder of the way. Following a journey spanning over five hours, across rivers and makeshift wooden bridges, the representatives arrived at the village around 1:15 pm.

In order to maintain confidentiality, the authorities set up a polling compartment next to the 92-year-old’s bed. Sivalingam cast his ballot and gave the sealed envelope to the officials with the help of his grandson.

The Edamalakkudi expedition, according to District Collector Sheeba George, is the greatest illustration of the significance the Election Commission places on even a single vote. She said, “The district administration’s goal is to guarantee 100% voter turnout in the Edamalakkudy tribal settlement.”

Sub-collector V M Jayakrishnan of Devikulam praised the authorities’ work and assured them of their gratitude.