When an aged man walked into the Uthandipalayam polling booth gripping his walking stick firmly and said that he was there to exercise his franchise, it took everyone including the booth agents by surprise. Periyanna Gounder is 106 years old.
The voters identity card carried by the centenarian confirmed his age and he was invited to the polling booth with respect.
After checking the voters list, officials placed the indelible ink on his forefinger and handed over the ballot paper to him.
“I feel proud”
After emerging from the polling booth, Mr. Periyanna Gounder said that he had never missed an election. “I have always exercised my franchise and I feel proud about it,” he said.
He says that he could not remember how many times he had voted. But he said that ever since he got the voting rights, he acted as a responsible citizen of the country.
