GUWAHATI: Lakhi Paul, at first instance, may look like any other centenarian, but she has secured for herself an indelible mark in the annals of Assam’s history.
Lakhi Paul (104), one of the oldest voters in Assam from Charaideo Election District, is all set to vote in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections to assert her fundamental democratic right as well to elect those who could bring bright and better days for the State. Assam has altogether 2,744 centenarian voters.
Survived by three children, Paul currently stays with one of her sons and a daughter at Ward No 4 at Moran town in Charaideo district. Paul’s name is enlisted at 40 No Polling Station under 105 Mahmora Assembly Constituency in Charaideo district. She will cast her vote to elect a suitable MP from the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency.
In an effort to make the ensuing Lok Sabha 2019 inclusive and provide all possible aid to voters, the SVEEP Cell of Charaideo had tried tracking all centenarian voters in the district. During this drive, the Cell came across Lakhi Paul, who in fact is older than independent India’s first voter Shyam Saran Negi aged 102.
“This is a history for us as we have tracked down the district’s oldest voter aged 104 years. But what makes her more special is that she is two years older than Independent India’s first voter,” Nuzhat Nasreen, Nodal Officer, SVEEP, Charaideo Election District told The Sentinel.
Nasreen, while quoting Lakhi Paul’s family members, said Paul has been exercising her franchise in all elections (both Lok Sabha and Assembly) since 1970. “At this age also she is very excited about the ensuing election and has told our deputy commissioner sir that she would cast her vote in the ensuing elections,” Nasreen said.
On Saturday, a team from the Charaideo District Administration headed by the Charaideo Deputy Commissioner, Dipak Kumar Handique paid a special visit to Paul. The DC felicitated Paul with a ‘Gamosa’ and offered fruits. Handique first enquired of Paul’s health and congratulated her on being the district’s oldest voter. The DC further stated that District Administration will provide all possible help in terms of transportation and escort, if needed, on the polling day to Paul.
He asked the Circle Officer of Mahmora, Tanvi Ahmed to personally receive Paul on April 11 (the day of the first phase of Lok Sabha election) and take her to the polling station to vote.
Sitting on her bed with a stick beside her, Paul acknowledged the Charaideo District Administration’s effort with a nod and folded hands.
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