Shimla Nov 9 (IANS) Shyam Saran Negi Himachal Pradesh s oldest voter aged 100 and his wife on Thursday cast their votes at a picturesque hamlet in Kinnaur district as elections were held to elect the 68-member assembly in the hill state.
"I have never missed an opportunity in my life to vote " Negi told reporters in Kalpa some 275 km from the state capital.
Last time he cast his vote was on May 7 2014 during the Lok Sabha elections.
After casting his vote on Thursday the centenarian appealed to the voters to exercise their franchise.
"You must vote for a people-friendly government " he added.
His wife Hira Mani 10 years younger to him accompanied him to the polling booth almost a km from their house.
The couple was among the first ones to vote said an election official.
A government school teacher who retired in 1975 Negi was among the first to vote in independent India s first Lok Sabha elections in October 1951 in Chini constituency later renamed Kinnaur.
At that time balloting in the snow-bound area was held ahead of other places in the state and the country.
--IANS
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