Haryana's Oldest Voters Lead the Way for Elections

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Haryana on May 25, the state has highlighted the inspiring stories of its oldest voters and achievers to encourage greater voter participation. Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal, has announced that 118-year-old Dharamveer from Palwal is the state's oldest voter, while 117-year-old Balbir Kaur from Sirsa is the oldest woman voter. 

Other centenarian voters include Bhagwani (116) from Sonipat, Lakkhishek (115) from Panipat, Chandro Kaur (112) from Rohtak, Rani (112) from Fatehabad, and Antidevi, Sarjit Kaur, and Chobi Devi (all 111) from Kurukshetra. Sh. Agarwal has urged the media to interview these elderly voters, whose commitment to voting can inspire young citizens.

The Election Commission has also named 'icons of district elections' – achievers from various fields who can motivate people to vote. These include Palak, the Asian Games 2023 shooting gold medalist (Jhajjar district), Adarsh Singh, the 19th Asian Games shooting silver medalist (Faridabad), Suman Devi, who won third place in the 19th Para Powerlifting Championship (Panipat), and Yashika, a state team player at the National School Games in Bhopal (Panipat). 

Other icons are Sarabjot Singh, 19th Asian Games shooting silver medalist (Ambala), Sonam Malik, World Championship gold medalist (Sonipat), Olympic hockey player Surinder Kaur (Kurukshetra), and Muskan, who won the National Youth Festival singing competition (Fatehabad). Sh. Agarwal has asked officials in other districts to name their own 'icons of elections' to represent local achievers. He said the Election Commission's slogan 'Chunav ka Parv Desh ka Garv' (Elections, the Nation's Pride) aims to boost voter turnout.

Appealing to Haryana's youth, who are 18-19 years old and first-time voters, Sh. Agarwal said, "When youth participate in elections, they understand democracy's power and their vote's importance. Don't miss this opportunity that comes every five years." By honoring its oldest voters and achievers, Haryana hopes to motivate its citizens, especially the youth, to exercise their democratic right and take part in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.