They vote, come what may!

The average citizen needs much coaxing to fulfil his democratic duty, but the fourth phase of Indian elections on Wednesday saw two unusual voters who could teach others a lesson or two.

The average citizen needs much coaxing to fulfil his democratic duty, but the fourth phase of Indian elections on Wednesday saw two unusual voters who could teach others a lesson or two.

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Among those who turned up to exercise their franchise was a 104-year-old woman, who may well be the oldest voter and citizen in the country. She was brought to the polling station in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in a cycle rickshaw.

Helped by her grandsons, the woman -- who must have seen every election since the country's independence in 1947 -- cast her ballot by pushing the button on an electronic voting machine.

In Lakhimpur Kheri, also in Uttar Pradesh, midget Ansar Ahmad clambered up on the table at the polling booth to cast his vote, since he is about as high as a four-year-old.

But he displayed more than average enthusiasm as he insisted on doing his duty. "There is nothing to it - why shouldn't I vote?" he asked curious reporters as a relative carried him back.