My first vote experience, 2014

It was 2014 april-may. In our constituency (paralakhemundi, Odisha) the election was scheduled on a friday. I went to my project manager and INFORMED him that I am going on 2 days leave to my hometown to vote. (Every time I used to ASK for leave,this only time I INFORMED) He replied reluctantly, " If you are saying, you're going to vote, what can I say. Go."

I had made up & down ticket from Hyderabad to Palasa (nearest station). Either way it was in RAC. I boarded in Visakha express. The other person didn't arrive. So I got the whole seat. I got the first reward by God for doing my duty. 

On Friday 1pm, I reached home. At 2pm I reached the polling booth( a primary school). My mom & dad went there ahead of me. When I was standing in the queue, they were returning. My dad told me that, he voted but my mom couldn't. Some one else had voted in her name. In place of signature there was thumb impression. These things happen

a lot in small towns & rural areas. In every election, political parties get the list of voters, they screen out who won't come to vote(people working outside the state, elderly persons) And then they send some dummy candidate to vote for them. 

My dad talked to the polling officer about it. He said politely, "You can do "challenge vote", you have to deposit 500Rs. We ll verify if she is the real voter or not. If she wins, the money ll be refunded. Then she can vote on a separate ballot paper. ..... But sir, if you do that, we ll get into trouble. There ll be inquiry on us. So I request you, please let it go."

My mom & dad went home. I stood in line. When it was my turn to vote, I asked the polling officer about it.

He said, "You have to pay 50Rs, & "challenge vote".

Me : "Shall I bring her now? "

He : "Our senior officer is not here. We don't know the process. So come after 3.30pm "

After voting I left & came back at 3.30pm. The officer had not arrived. I waited outside the booth(school) & at 4pm, I went again. Again they said the same thing. The more I was declined, the more determined I grew. 

4.30pm they were supposed to close. I took my mom to the booth at 4.20pm. 

Now they were annoyed. 

One of the official said, "You want to vote, right? , Vote on someone else's name. "

Me : "Someone did the wrong thing, we are here to correct it. She ll vote only on her name. "

Another polling official said, "You vote on five more people's name. We ll allow that. Please don't go for challenge vote."

Me : A big "NO"

These things didn't mattered much to my mom, but she joined the conversation just to support me. She said with fake anger," I won't vote on anyone else's name." I am her child. I know when her anger is fake. 

There were party members of BJP, INC,BJD inside the booth to see if there is any malpractice. They were looking at us with shock. 

The conversation ended when my mom talked. They agreed for the "challenge vote". 

I gave 50Rs. They said, "Give 2Rs. coin". 

So the 500Rs & 50Rs were to dissuade us. They verified the voter ID & found she was the genuine voter. The gave us two old style colored ballot paper one for state & one for union. My mom stamped on it. And then they put those ballot papers in an envelope, sealed it. 

One officer said," you ll get an acknowledgement letter within a month."

We returned. It was a very soul satisfying experience for me. I voted for different party. My mom & dad voted for a different party. The party didn't mattered. The right to vote mattered. That's why the fight.

On Monday, I again boarded Visakha express with my RAC ticket. Once again the other person didn't arrive. I felt I was rewarded for doing my duty.