Shimla

Shyam Saran Negi, believed to be India's first voter at 105 years of age, cast his vote on Wednesday in the Kinnaur assembly constituency in Himachal Pradesh.

As per official records, Negi had also participated in the 1951-52 general elections, the country's first.

"I have never missed an opportunity to cast my vote since India got its Independence in 1947 and I am happy to vote this time too," Negi said in Kalpa, some 275 km from the state capital, after exercising his franchise.

Last year also, he cast his vote for the Mandi parliamentary by-poll.

Election officials said on earlier occasions Negi went to the nearest polling station to cast the vote.

This time, the Election Commission has made special provision for those above 80 to exercise their franchise on a ballot paper at their residence.

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  In 1951, Negi, a retired school teacher, was on election duty and had voted in Chini constituency, later named Kinnaur.