The Kokrajhar district administration in Assam on Wednesday, April 1, felicitated 101-year-old voter Sukali Barman, highlighting the campaign theme of “Democracy at Every Doorstep” ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Sukali Barman, a resident of the 3-Kokrajhar Legislative Assembly Constituency, was honoured at her residence by District Commissioner and District Election Officer Dr. P. Uday Praveen, who visited her as part of the Home Voting initiative. The programme, conducted under the aegis of the Election Commission of India, is aimed at enabling elderly and differently abled voters to cast their votes from home.
Despite being over a century old, Barman continues to actively take part in the electoral process, with officials describing her as a symbol of unwavering civic responsibility. “Voters like Sukali Barman embody the true spirit of democracy and inspire all sections of society,” Dr. Praveen said during the visit.
The Home Voting initiative allows senior citizens aged 85 years and above, as well as persons with disabilities (PwDs), to exercise their franchise without having to visit polling stations. Officials noted that the effort is part of a larger push to ensure accessibility and dignity in the voting process.
Reaffirming their commitment to inclusive elections, district authorities said they are working to boost participation across all sections of society, guided by the Election Commission’s vision of “No Voter to be Left Behind.”
The initiative has been gaining momentum in different parts of the country, with election authorities increasingly focusing on last-mile connectivity to ensure that age or physical limitations do not stand in the way of democratic participation.
