Thanjavur: Age no bar at polling booths as long as you have the voters ID card

Thanjavur: Democracy provides for voters of all ages to vote. After completing 18 years of age, first time voters, middle age women with children in their hands, at 80 and 80-plus, octogenarian couple, and also Thirunangais (Transgenders) came in large numbers to vote in Thanjavur Lok Sabha election and Thanjavur Assembly by-poll on Thursday.

Soorya Dinakaran, has just completed 18 years. He was there in the queue to vote along with this father at St. Joseph higher secondary school booth at Pookara street at Thanjavur. “I am only 18 years and three months old. I enrolled only just in the last revision of electoral rolls. They have not even given the voters ID yet (it will be given. it is in the process) but my name and photo are in the voters list. I have come with my aadhar to vote” Soorya said. “I am happy to vote. This is my democratic right” said Soorya. “He is doing B. Arch at Periyar Maniammai Institute of Technology (PMIST),” his father said.

A 70-year-old woman, who was not able to walk straight but has to kneel down and walk was at Thirugmagal higher secondary school booth at Thanjavur at the stroke of 7 am. She waited patiently to vote. Voters gave way for her to vote first.

Octogenarian couple T.K. Govinda Pillai (89) and his wife Neelavathi (80) came to the booth at Matha school at Vallam to vote. They were provided with wheel chairs to reach the booth and vote. “I have seen so many elections. But every time I make it a point to vote. Hence this time also in spite of my ripe age,” said Govinda Pillai.

Sudha (27) is a Thirunangai (Transgender). She enrolled her name for voting in this election only. She was there to vote along with other transgenders in Vallam.
There were people who boycotted voting till noon demanding basic amenities. Three hundred of them belonging to Monnayampatti near Vallam did not turn up for voting till noon. They organised road roko agitation on Vallam-Tiruchy road demanding roads, drinking water and proper drainage facility for their village. The police rushed to the spot and pacified them. After assurance given by the police, they voted in the afternoon.

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