Shyam Saran Negi, the first person to vote in independent India, passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 106 at his home in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh.
Chief Minister Jairam Thakur expressed his sorrow at his passing on Twitter.”Saddened to hear the news of the demise of Shyam Saran Negi Ji, the first voter of independent India and who belonged to Kinnaur,” he wrote in Hindi.
“He cast his postal vote for the assembly elections on November 2 for the 34th time, this memory will always be emotional… May God give his virtuous soul a place at his feet and provide support to the bereaved family members. Om shanti,” Thakur added.
According to the Election Commission, Shyam Saran Negi voted in the state legislature one last time by postal ballot. At his home, the Kinnaur deputy commissioner also congratulated him. The EC expressed its condolences for Negi’s passing and referred to him as a “man with exceptional faith in democracy.”
“ECI mourns the demise of Shri Shyam Saran Negi. We are eternally grateful for his service to the nation, “the poll panel’s spokesperson was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. “He inspired millions to vote, even before his demise, he voted for Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022 through postal ballot on November 2, 2022,” the Election Commission further wrote on Twitter.
Several leaders from the BJP and Congress expressed sorrow and condolence to the Negi family. “The BJP expresses deep sorrow and condolences on the demise of independent India’s first voter Shyam Saran Negi Ji, the first voter of independent India. May God bless the departed pious soul and give him peace and salvation,” the BJP’s Himachal unit tweeted.