Many enthusiastic senior citizens and physically-challenged persons gave a head start to voting at several polling booths in the Khammam Lok Sabha constituency, reaffirming their resolve to strengthen the democracy.
Maddineni Ramaiah (80), a resident of Raghunadhapalem, was the first to cast his vote at a polling station in the mandal headquarters town.
Clad in the traditional attire of white dhoti and shirt, Mr. Ramaiah arrived at the polling station to a warm welcome from the polling staff at 7 a.m. The wheel-chair bound octogenarian exercised his franchise with diligence well ahead of other electors. Takkalapalli Pullamma (90) and Muttamma (70) were among the early birds to cast their vote at the same polling station.
Sk. Baaji, a physically-challenged voter, turned up early to the model polling station for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) at Thallada in Sattupalli constituency. Assisted by the volunteers, he entered the polling booth and exercised his voting right in a hassle-free manner.
Scores of PwD voters utilised the free transportation facilities arranged by the administration and cast their vote at various polling stations across the district.
As many as five model polling stations were set up for PwD voters in the constituency.