Independent India's first voter Shyam Saran Negi breathed his last on Saturday morning. He was 105.
Deputy Commissioner of Kinnaur Abid Hussain Sadiq confirmed to Outlook his demise, and said, "we will go to his home and perform last rites with full honour as he has created an example by voting for the poll through postal ballot -- a commitment to democracy in India."
Independent india s first voter shyam Saran Negi with DC Kinnaur Abid Hossain Sadiq
Shyam Saran Negi kept his date with democracy yet again and became the first voter for the November 12 assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh by casting his vote through postal ballot last Wednesday.
A red carpet was laid at his home in the village of Kalpa in Kinnaur district and a traditional musical band played in his honour as Negi completed the formality of casting his vote.
Deputy Commissioner Kinnaur Abid Hussain Sadiq led the team of the election department that oversaw the event after Negi had conveyed his decision to cast a postal ballot for the coming poll instead of going to the polling booth, a tradition he had followed since 1951—when he cast his vote for the first time in Independent India.
“Negi is a legend, not only in Himachal Pradesh but in our country. He has never missed voting in any election whether panchayat, state assembly, or Lok Sabha. This is his commitment to Indian democracy,” Sadiq told Outlook over the phone at Shyam Saran Negi house.
The general elections in India were held first time in February 1952 but voting in high-altitude areas of Kinnaur was held five months in advance on October 25, 1951 as the ECI believed that inclement winter weather would make it impossible to hold polls in the snow-bound areas of Himachal Pradesh.
Negi had to perform polling duties at a different booth. He reached the government school of Kalpa at 7 am and was allowed to cast his vote. Thus, he attained the distinction of being Independent India's first voter, says M Sudha Devi, who has formerly served as DC Kinnaur.
