Gujarat man casts vote with his toe: 'Lost both my hands to an electric shock 20 years ago'

'I use my feet to do all the day-to-day tasks. I came here to vote today and I have been using my feet to cast my vote for years,' Ankit Soni said. (Image credit: ANI)

A man in Gujarat on Tuesday cast his vote with his toe after having lost both his hands following an electric shock 20 years ago. Ankit Soni also bore the mark of the indelible ink -- a mark of casting a vote in India -- on his toe.

Speaking to news agency ANI at the Nadiad polling booth, Soni said that he has been self-dependent for years and has been using his feet to carry out all the essential tasks, including voting. He also thanked his teachers for pushing him to continue with his education despite his disability, which made him not only complete his graduation but also get an MBA degree.

"I lost both my hands due to an electric shock 20 years ago. With the blessings of my teachers and guru, I did my graduation and my MBA. I use my feet to do all the day-to-day tasks. I came here to vote today and I have been using my feet to cast my vote for years. So, I urge other voters, if you haven't already cast your vote, please visit your polling booth to do so because every vote is precious," he said.

#WATCH | Nadiad, Gujarat: Ankit Soni, a voter, casts his vote through his feet at a polling booth in Nadiad

He says, "I lost both my hands due to electric shock 20 years ago. With the blessings of my teachers and guru, I did my graduation, CS... I appeal to people to come out… pic.twitter.com/UPx8G5MTPz

— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2024

Gujarat recorded a 37.83 percent voter turnout till 1 pm on Tuesday. Voting began in 25 seats in the state. Union Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast their vote from Gandhinagar.

#WATCH | An elderly woman ties rakhi to PM Modi as he greets people after casting his vote for #LokSabhaElections2024 at a polling booth in Ahmedabad, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/pGKPQhQiQd

— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2024

Key candidates for Gujarat polls include Amit Shah from Gandhinagar, Parshottam Rupala from Rajkot, Mansukh Mandaviya from Porbandar, CR Paatil from Navsari, and Mansukhbhai Vasava from Bharuch.