Mandhudhar (Solan), Dec. 8: In a novel initiative to enable leprosy patient to participate in the election process, a special polling booth has been set up here at a hospital at Mandhudhar in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan District.

The polling booth that is first of its kind in the country has delighted all.

Over 24 voters will exercise their franchise for the Kasauli constituency from this specially made booth including 14 leprosy patients.

"Polling station just in the premises of leprosy hospitals is a very good thing. Nothing can be better than the fact that our patients would now be able to exercise their voting rights, " said Geeta Pathak, an employee of Leprosy Hospital, Mandhudhar.

The leprosy patients are delighted that the authorities have taken care of their eagerness to be an active participant in elections.

"I heartily thank the Government for this special benefit. Earlier, we had to undergo lot of problems to cast our votes since the polling station was 9 kilometres away (at Snawar near Kasauli) from here, " said Jeevan, a leprosy patient.

Over 58,000 voters of Kasauli constituency will be voting on December 19. (ANI)