From Sweden to Siwan: how NRIs are going extra miles to vote in Lok Sabha elections 2024

By Muskan 

New Delhi: Lok Sabha elections 2024 has almost reached its final stage with Phase 6 taking place today at over 58 seats in 8 states and 2 Union Territories across the nation including Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and many more. In a nation where many people take their electoral right for granted, there are still stories where people travel across nations just to exercise their electoral rights.

In order to use his electoral authority, 32-year-old Deepak Kumar travelled more than 7,500 km from Sweden to Siwan, Bihar. Mahaviri Path, Siwan-309 is reportedly the location of his polling booth. He urged every voter to use their right to vote by saying, “From Sweden to Siwan, every vote counts,” in a shared video.

Such stories are heard during every phase like 36-year-old Hirshikesh Pangarkar who came down especially from London to cast vote. He works at a tech company there but didn’t forget about his duty towards his country. Another youngster, Suresh Joshi, from Kothrud, came down from New York to cast vote who is pursuing his master’s degree from New York.

Several companies are also taking initiatives like Air India Express offering 19 per cent off on domestic and international flight tickets, exclusively for first-time voters (between the ages of 18-22), carrying a valid voter ID, flying to and from airports close to their home constituencies.

The Indian government has made several policies and criteria for those who do not wish to miss the opportunity to cast their votes as the world’s largest democracy goes to vote in 7 Phases from April 19-June 1. Voting begins at 7 AM and closure of poll timings may differ. Around 11.4 lakh Polling officials will welcome over 11.13 crore voters across 1.14 lakh polling stations.

On June 4, Indian voters will make their choice over whose government will represent them as the General Elections of 2024 draw to a close with just one phase remaining.