New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar visited Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur to attend the last rites of Shyam Saran Negi, Independent India's first voter, who passed away at the age of 106 on Saturday. Kumar said that the real tribute to Shyam Saran Negi would be when each eligible elector casts vote in the upcoming Himachal election.
While speaking to reporters, Kumar said, "the true tribute will be if everyone in Himachal Pradesh votes during the upcoming elections on November 12, especially the youth, should vote whenever there is an election near. They are entitled to cast their vote during any election, this would be the true tribute to Shyam Saran Negi."
Negi exercised his right to franchise for the 34th time for the 14th Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections scheduled to be held on November 12. He cast his vote through postal ballot at his residence in Kalpa on November 2.
Kumar in a tweet said, "Our real tribute to him will be when each one casts vote on 12th Nov in #HPElection2022 and elections in their respective constituencies."
Negi became the first voter of independent India when he cast his vote on October 25, 1951, during the first general elections that were held after British rule. He has cast his vote in every election since then.
Shyam Saran Negi was a teacher at Kinnaur's Moorang School and was assigned election duty that day. He reached the polling booth station early morning while the election duty team reached at 6:15 am. Negi asked permission to vote to return to his duty and thus became the first voter of independent India.
Several prominent leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have paid their tributes to Negi while lauding his dedication towards democracy.