Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election 2017: Shyam Saran Negi cast his vote with his wife.
The oldest voter of Himachal Pradesh, centurion
Shyam Saran Negi, cast his vote at a little village in Kinnaur district today. His wife Hira Mani, 10 years younger to him, had accompanied him to the polling booth, located a km from their home. The
state picked the members of its 13th assembly today.
A government school teacher who retired in 1975, Mr Negi was among the first to vote in independent India's first Lok Sabha elections in October 1951 in Chini constituency, which was later named Kinnaur. At that time, balloting in the snow-bound area was held ahead of other places in the state and the country.
Over the years, he has never missed an opportunity to vote, Mr Negi told reporters in Kalpa, around 275 km from state capital Shimla. "You must vote for a people-friendly government," the oldest voter added.
The last time Mr Negi had cast his vote was on May 7, 2014, during the Lok Sabha elections.
Mr Negi has been appointed a brand ambassador by the State Election Commission because of his 'oldest voter' claim-to-fame. Today, the couple was among the first ones to vote, said an election official.