Lone elector in Gir polling booth casts vote

Banej (Gir Forest): A temple priest, who is the only voter registered at a polling station in the Gir lion sanctuary in Gujarat, said he was proud of Indian democracy as he exercised his franchise on Thursday.

Shri Guru Bharatdasji Darshandasji Maharaj voted at 10:00 hrs IST at the makeshift polling booth at Banej, about 30 kms from Sasan in Junagadh district, and about 300 km from Ahmedabad.

A presiding officer and three polling officers were sent there for the lone voter.

Bharatdasji said he was proud of a nation which sends polling officers miles away to collect just one vote.

The priest lives in the Banej Tirthdham, a pilgrimage spot inside the Gir sanctuary, the home to Asiatic lions, and looks after an ancient Shiva temple there.

Banej comes under the Una Assembly segment of the Junagadh Lok Sabha constituency.