Mahant Bharatdas Darshandas lives in the middle of Gujarat’s Gir forest, home for Asiatic lion. He is the lone voter from the place for whom the entire election team is set for every election.
In his mid 60’s Darshandas is living in a small house, looking after the ancient Shiva Temple which is located nearby.
He is the only worker from the village Banej, located in Junagadh district.
When asked about this to the Junagadh collector, “We are only following EC guidelines” he said to IANS over the telephone.
Election commission mandated that no voter should travel more than 2 km to cast his/her vote.
So, 4 to 5 officials of election commission accompanied by the forest guards reach the place in SUV from Una, the day before the “voting day” arranges everything, including the voting booth.
Normally, the voting takes place for the entire day, but here the officials wrap it up once Darshandas votes.
Darshandas has been a regular voter. Living in a nation where most of the youngsters find it difficult to vote, here he is using his “right to vote” in a proper manner.
