“This is my second time casting her vote. Last time it was during the Panchayat elections,” said Babu.
Right index finger inked twice
However, he recalled that he could cast only his mother’s vote at that time. “I was not in the voters’ list for the local administration election. This is the first time that I managed to vote twice,” said Babu.
“Democracy is a core value for every Indian citizen, and voting is its most essential expression. Even amid the regional tensions, both of us, who believe in democracy, came and exercised our right to vote and this time I cast two votes,” he added.
For Shyna, an assistant financial manager in Dubai, the day carried its own quiet joy. “I voted after a long time. I am happy that we could take both our mothers to vote and after that to the famous Kadalayi Sree Krishna Temple. They both were very happy today,” she said.
Call for better access
Meanwhile, there has been a wider conversation in India around accessibility at polling booths for visually impaired voters. While companion voting offers a workaround, disability rights advocates and electoral reform groups have been pushing for a more independent solution.
In Tamil Nadu, demands have been raised for audio-enabled VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machines that would allow visually impaired voters to independently verify their vote without relying on a companion, according to The Hindu newspaper.
Activists and organisations supporting persons with disabilities have argued that the current system, while helpful, still falls short of giving visually challenged voters full autonomy at the ballot box. They hope that audio-enabled assistance would be a significant step toward truly inclusive elections.