GADCHIROLI/SIRONCHA: His vision blurred and limbs shaky, but spirits high, 100-year-old Kishtayya Madarboyna made history in the booby-trapped Maoist hotbed of south Gadchiroli’s Sironcha on Wednesday by casting his vote through postal ballot after his home was converted into a polling booth for 45 minutes.
The centenarian then handed the sealed envelope to polling officials, who had travelled 107km through treacherous terrain from Aheri to Sironcha.Besides Madarboyna, 86-year-old Kishtayya Komera exercised his franchise from home.

The polling officials’ effort was in line with EC’s postal ballot facility for the disabled, people above 85, Covid-affected or those involved in essential services and unable to travel to a booth.
“Such a facility is a huge blessing. I would not have been able to queue up at the polling booth. I feel elated and proud. Not sure I will be alive for the next elections,”said Madarboyna, who is bedridden and needed three quarters of an hour to complete his electoral responsibility.
“Officials toiled for weeks to identify and enrol these voters,” said assistant district collector Sachin Jiwane, who was part of the massive exercise. “Postal ballots would be opened on the counting day,” he added.