Shyam Saran Negi, the first citizen of independent India to vote, died Saturday morning at the age of 106 at his home in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur. Chief Minister Jairam Thakur expressed his condolences on Twitter. “I am saddened to learn of the death of Shyam Saran Negi Ji, the first voter of independent India and a Kinnaur resident,” 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 assembly elections via postal ballot. At his residence, he was also honoured by Kinnaur deputy commissioner. The EC also mourned Negi’s death, describing him as a “man of 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 BJP and Congress leaders expressed their condolences to the Negi family. “The BJP expresses deep sorrow and condolences on the death of independent India’s first voter, Shyam Saran Negi Ji,” the BJP said. “May God bless the departed pious soul and grant him peace and salvation,” the Himachal Pradesh unit of the BJP tweeted.