Independent India's first voter Shyam Saran Negi dies at the age of 106

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Independent India’s first voter Shyam Saran Negi passed away at the age of 106 on 5 November, 2022 morning in Himachal Pradesh.

Important facts

• Shyam Saran Negi, exercising his right to vote, had voted for the 34th time in his life on 2 November 2022.

• He had cast his vote in the 14th Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election through postal ballot paper at his home in Kalpa, Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

• Born on 1 July 1917, Shyam Saran Negi voted for the first time in India's general elections in 1951 and has voted sixteen times in the Lok Sabha elections.

• He worked as a school teacher in Kalpa.

• When the first general elections were held in India in 1951 after the end of British rule in 1947, Negi was the first to vote on 25 October.

• Shyam Saran Negi also made a special appearance in the Hindi film Sanam Re.

• He was also made the brand ambassador by the Election Commission.

• Negi had refused to take the Election Commission's 12-D facility that allows voters aged 80 and above to vote from home.

• The Election Commission has started the facility of 12-D form for people above 80 years.

• Under this scheme, any person above 80 years of age who wants to vote by staying at home can do it and the department will provide the facility of vote from home.

• This facility is also available for people with disabilities and COVID-19 patients.