108-year-old man casts vote as Mizoram’s oldest voter

A 108-year-old Rochhinga, possibly the oldest voter in Mizoram, came out to cast his vote as the election to the 40-member state Assembly held on Wednesday, said sources.

According to reports, Rochhinga, a Presbyterian Church elder and a resident of Zemabawk North in Aizawl East-I constituency, came holding a walking stick along with one of his neighbours.

“I never miss voting in elections. It is our duty. If we fail in our duty, then how can we question when the government will fail in its duty?” Rochhinga told PTI after casting vote.

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The centenarian has a keen interest in political developments in the state, according to his neighbour.

Enthusiasm was high among senior citizens in Mizoram as persons aged 106, 104 and 96 were among others who turned up to cast their votes in their respective polling booths, said the sources.

Aged 106, Darrohnuni, who exercised franchise at Kawrthah polling station-III under the Hachhek seat along the Mizoram-Tripura border, was the second oldest person to cast her vote.

Wrapped in woollens, Darrohnuni came in a wheelchair pushed by her granddaughter.

Another woman, 104-year-old Aiziki of Lunglei Chanmari was cast her vote to elect the next government in Mizoram. She came along holding a walking stick.

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Nuchhungi (96) of southernmost Mizoram’s Siaha seat and Darlianzingi (90) of Serchhip Chhim Veng polling station were two of the nonagenarians who exercised their franchise Wednesday.

Wednesday voting in Mizoram began as early as 7 am and many senior citizens came out from their homes with the help of their younger family members. Others were seen with crutches, sticks or wheelchairs since early morning to participate in the electoral exercise, it said.

Voting ended at 4 pm in Mizoram, where a total of 7,70,395 voters, including 3,94,897 women and 32,545 first time voters, will decide the fate of 209 candidates.

Around 70 per cent voter turnout was recorded till the end of voting as per preliminary estimation across the state, Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer Ashish Kundra said.

(With PTI inputs)