Vadodara: Vadodara saw an impressive voter turnout of over 72 per cent on Thursday, thanks to the enthusiasm of the voters who went that extra mile to exercise their voting rights.
From women aged above 100 years to handicapped persons, citizens turned up at the polling booths and got their fingers inked. Some even flew to the city from abroad to cast their vote.
A resident of Pratap Road, Vaishnav was upbeat to exercise her democratic right on Thursday as well. But she could not cast her vote as her name was missing from the electoral roll.
"I have exercised my voting right in almost all the elections so far but this time my name is missing from the electoral roll," said Vaishnav, who is a voter in Raopura assembly seat.
Sunil Desai, who is suffering from quadriplegia, makes specially arranges a vehicle to transport him to the polling booth. Unable to move any part of his body below his neck, Desai went to the booth in a tempo on a tailormade wheelchair. "I make it sure to vote in every election as it is my duty. We live in a democracy so every vote counts. I hope people get motivated from my efforts and come out to vote in big numbers," Desai, who is bed-ridden for over two decades, said.
A 108-year-old woman too drew stares from people as she entered a polling booth in Baranpura. "We always complain about several issues but don't come out to vote. I always cast my vote. It makes me feel empowered as a citizen," said Bhagirathi Devi, a resident of Chhani Road.
Tithi Parikh, who is settled in the US, too flew down to the city to cast her vote. "My daughter wanted to ensure that she exercises her duty so she came here for a few days. My son Sharan too drove down from Mumbai to cast his vote," said Snehal Parikh, Baroda Cricket Association (BCA), secretary (in-charge).
From women aged above 100 to handicapped persons, all turned up at the polling booths
