The young are elated; the old, unwavering

Saraswati (86) coming out after casting her vote at Rattady in Udupi district on Sunday.

Old and young voters alike showed enthusiasm in casting their votes in the Assembly elections in Udupi district on Sunday.

Sheshi Poojarti (72), who cast her vote at Government Higher Primary School booth at Hanumant Nagar in Udupi, said that she had never missed voting in any elections. “I do not want to waste my vote. It is my right. I came here with the help of my neighbour to vote,” she said.

Saraswati (86) cast her vote at Zilla Panchayat Higher Primay School booth at the Maoists-affected village of Rattady in the Kundapur Assembly Constituency. She could walk only with the help of a stick and was breathless. She was accompanied by her neighbour Narsamma Shedti (81). Both said that they had never missed voting in any election. “We have come on our own. It is our right to vote,” they said.

First-timers

Divya Shetty (18), a student of first year B.Com at Tenkanidiyur Government First Grade College, who cast her vote at Government Higher Primary School booth at Hanumant Nagar in Udupi, said that she was delighted to cast her vote.

“I came to vote on my own. I felt it is the duty of all citizens to vote,” she said.

Vijayalakshmi (19), a second year student of Government Polytechnic in Manipal, voted at Government Lower Primary School at Gavali village in Kundapur.