Indore: Many voters undertook journeys spanning foreign nations to reach their hometowns to exercise their franchise on Friday.While many extended their Diwali vacation to participate in the polling, others travelled to city especially to be a part in forming the government. Palak Purohit, 32-year-old and residing in Germany for the past year and a half, returned Indore for Diwali holidays.But with the assembly election slated a few days post-Diwali, Palak opted to stay."As I planned my visit to the city, my parents alerted me about the election day, prompting me to adjust my holiday plans accordingly. Voting holds immense significance to me as I believe it contributes to shaping a better future. Despite being abroad, I kept abreast of the news through video updates, staying connected to the happenings in India and my city. Choosing leaders who can aptly represent India on the global stage is pivotal," Palak told TOI.At Subhash Chowk polling booth near Rajwada, Palak was accompanied by her 29-year-old sister, Apurva Purohit, who came from Australia specifically to vote. A couple residing in the USA, Abhishek Joshi and Shraddha Dave, reached Indore to celebrate Diwali with their family. They extended their holidays to participate in voting on November 17."Voting is not just a right but a privilege. We consider ourselves fortunate that the election coincided with Diwali, providing us with the opportunity to actively participate. Its a source of immense pride for us to cast our votes," Abhishek and Shraddha told TOI.Many enthusiastic voters travelled from Bangalore, Pune, Chandigarh and Jaipur to Indore to cast their votes.Rohit Sharma, working in a software company in Bangalore, took an overnight bus from Pune to reach Indore to cast his vote stating he did not want to miss his fundamental right. Setting an example, 58-year-old tea seller Kaluram, who earns Rs 300 a day, travelled 97 km with his family almost spending 4 days of his income to cast votes.Kaluram, his wife Guamata Bai, 58, son and daughter-in-law travelled from Ujjain, where he runs a tea stall, to Susner assembly constituency in Agar district to cast vote. Kaluram said, As a responsible citizen its important to exercise our franchise. We try to participate in all the polls and travel to our village.We also published the following articles recentlyHome voting: Over 12,000 elderly and disabled voters cast votes for Rajasthan assembly pollsOver 12,000 elderly and disabled voters in Rajasthan have cast their votes in the first phase of home voting for the state assembly elections. The Election Commission sends special polling teams to the homes of eligible voters above 80 years old or with disabilities to record their votes in postal ballots. A total of 62,927 voters in the state have applied for home voting, with voting taking place until November 19. Special polling teams will also visit the homes of voters who were not present during the first phase.Campaigning ends, stage set for voting in Indore divVoting is underway in 37 assembly constituencies in the Indore division, with 262 candidates in the fray. The main contest is between the BJP and Congress, although rebels from both parties have made the election interesting in a few seats. In the previous assembly polls, Congress won 24 out of 37 seats, while the BJP was reduced to 11. This time, rebels have entered the race on several seats after being denied tickets by their respective parties. BJP has expelled six leaders, and Congress has expelled five for contesting as rebels or working against the official candidates.80 transgenders to cast votes for first time in JodhpurAround 80 transgenders in Jodhpur will be voting for the first time in the upcoming election. Half of them have already received their voter ID cards, with the rest expected to receive them soon. Documentary formalities and lack of trust in the government previously prevented them from participating in the electoral process. However, with pressure from the Election Commission of India and the efforts of a non-profit organization, these transgenders are now equipped and encouraged to cast their votes. This is the first time such a large number of transgenders are being issued voter ID cards in association with the administration.

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