Days after casting his final ballot in the state’s 14th Assembly elections, the 106-year-old Shyam Saran Negi, who served as independent India’s first voter, passed away today in his hometown of Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh.
Mr. Negi was the first voter in the independent nation when he cast his ballot on October 23, 1951, at the Kalpa polling place. On November 2, this year, he cast his 34th and final ballot, an accomplishment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised.
According to PM Modi’s tweet, “This is excellent and should serve as an encouragement for the younger voters to participate in the elections and enhance our democracy.” On November 2, the 106-year-old used a postal ballot to cast her vote. Negi’s death was lamented by Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, who said that it “will always be emotional” to remember the nation’s first voter casting his final ballot. “Saddened to learn of the passing of Kinnaur born Shyam Saran Negi ji, the country’s first independent voter. On November 2, while carrying out his duty, he cast his 34th postal ballot for the assembly elections, this memory will always bring tears to my eyes” tweets from Thakur.
He concluded by praying that God would strengthen the grieving family members and bless the man’s up right soul at his feet.
Amandeep Garg, the deputy commissioner of Kinnaur, stated that Negi would be cremated with due respect. Maneesh Garg, the chief electoral officer, offered condolences on Negi’s passing and said that he “inspired generations of people to use their right to vote for improving the democratic set up.”
