Odishatv Bureau

India's oldest voter and Independent country's first voter has cast his franchise for an unprecedented 34th time in his lifetime. 
Shyam Saran Negi is 106-years-old  and he cast his vote through a postal ballot in Kalpa on November 2 ahead of voting for the assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh on November 12.

Born in 1917, and a teacher by profession, centenarian Negi has voted in every election after 1947, including all Lok Sabha, Assembly polls and local urban body elections.

In an extraordinary feat, Negi became the first voter of the country as polls were conducted on October 25, 1951 in Kinnaur, ahead of other parts of India which went to elections in February 1952.

Negi has also been made a state election icon in 2014.

After casting his vote, the veteran said that every citizen should vote for strengthening the democratic set-up. "The young voters should consider their duty to vote and contribute in strengthening the Nation. We should feel proud of our voting right as it helps in choosing the right representative to lead the Nation," ANI quoted the centenarian as saying.

Prime Minister Modi also lauded his incredible achievement. This is commendable and should serve as an inspiration for the younger voters to take part in the elections and strengthen our democracy, the PM tweeted.

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