Despite heat, senior citizens step out to vote in large numbers

Despite the Election Commission of India making arrangements to collect postal ballots from super senior citizens — those above the age of 85 — and persons with disabilities, many octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians chose to cast their votes in person on Thursday.

Stephen, a 103-year-old resident of Vallur village in Ponneri, who came to the polling booth in a wheelchair, said he chose to visit the polling station directly to fulfil his democratic duty, as it brought him joy. He said he urged everyone not to stay at home, but to go to their respective polling stations to cast their votes.