For some age is just a number. Like Chanaram Barman, who says he is “just 104”.
When Assam goes to the polls in three phases—April 11, 18 and 23—among the millions of voters will be 27 “special guests” in Nalbari district. All of them are above 100, perhaps the only district in Assam with so many centenarians.
Nalbari straddles three parliamentary constituencies—Guwahati, Barpeta, Mangaldoi.
Nalbari deputy commissioner Bharat Bhushan Dev Choudhury said the district administration has made special arrangements for all the 27 voters “so that they can easily cast their valuable votes for a healthy democracy in the country”.
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According to officials, the circle officers have been asked to provide wheelchair and vehicles on polling days to help the voters reach their booths. On Thursday, the DC met Chanaram Barman of Arara village in Nalbari district.
Dev Choudhury felicitated Barman with a gamosa and a bouquet of flowers and requested him to cast his vote in the ensuing Lok Sabha election, which will also serve as an inspiration for younger voters.
The Nalbari assembly constituency, which falls in Mangaldoi parliamentary constituency, has the highest, 14, voters above 100.
Besides, Barkhetri LAC, which falls under Guwahati Lok Sabha seat, has 10 centenarian voters while the Dharmapur LAC, that falls under Barpeta Lok Sabha seat, has three voters who have crossed 100 years of age.
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Officials said that the district has 3,833 octogenarian and nonagenarian voters. The district has 13,786 first time voters whose age is between 18 to 19 years.
The district administration has also made special arrangements for specially abled voters to ensure their participation in the Lok Sabha polls.
Assam has 21.7 million voters, including at least 7.06 lakh first timers.
Bijoya Chakravarty had won the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat in 2014 general elections. Sirajuddin Ajmal had won the Barpeta Lok Sabha seat and Raman Deka had won the Mangaldoi Lok Sabha seat.
