A 63-year-old woman passed away on Tuesday afternoon shortly after exercising her democratic right at a polling booth for the Tuljapur municipal council elections in Maharashtra's Dharashiv district. The incident caused a temporary disruption in the voting process.
Voter Collapses After Following Due Procedure
The deceased has been identified as Rajashri Bhosale. According to Tuljapur tehsildar and returning officer Arvind Bolenge, the woman arrived at the polling station around noon. She successfully cast her vote after completing all necessary formalities. However, tragedy struck as she was leaving the booth, where she suddenly collapsed.
Officials stated that there were no significant queues or delays at the polling booth at the time. The woman also did not report any health issues upon her arrival or during the voting process. She was immediately rushed to a nearby government hospital, where a doctor declared her dead.
Probable Cause and Immediate Aftermath
Citing preliminary information from health authorities, Returning Officer Arvind Bolenge indicated that cardiac arrest could be the probable cause of the sudden death. The incident created a state of chaos at the polling booth located in ward number 9, leading to a brief halt in the voting proceedings.
Some individuals attempted to raise a commotion following the unfortunate event. However, police personnel present at the location promptly intervened to control the situation and restore order. The authorities completed the postmortem examination by evening, after which the woman's body was handed over to her grieving family members.
Incident Highlights Voter Dedication
This sad event underscores the deep commitment of Indian citizens to participate in the electoral process, even among elderly voters. The incident occurred during the polling for the Tuljapur municipal council, a significant local body election in the region. While the exact medical history of the voter is not detailed in official reports, the swift response by election and medical officials was noted.
The election machinery managed to resume polling after the brief interruption, ensuring the democratic process continued. The death of Rajashri Bhosale serves as a somber reminder of the importance of voter health and safety measures at polling stations across the country.
