A MAN in India has cut his own finger off after realising he had cast his vote for the wrong party on the general election ballot paper.
Ballots are cast in Indian elections by voters making a finger print next to the party of their choice, each of which is represented by a symbol, to accommodate those unable to read or write.
But Pawan Kumar, 25, accidentally ended up voting for the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, in what is the world’s largest general election.
He had meant to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) which represents the interest of the Dalits – or untouchables – group of which he is a member, according to the BBC.
The elephant is the symbol of the BSP while the BJP is represented by lotus flower
"I wanted to vote for the elephant, but I voted for the flower by mistake," he said.
Furious about his mistake, Kumar returned home and sliced off his finger with a chopper.
He was taken to hospital but was soon discharged after treatment, the Hindustan Times reported.
FURY AT MISTAKE
Voting in the election began on April 11 and continues until May 19 and 900 million people are eligible to cast their ballot.
In the latest stage on Thursday saw the more than 155 million people vote in 95 constituencies in 12 states and the final result will become known on May 23.
The lower house has 543 elected seats and any party or coalition needs a minimum of 272 MPs to form a government.
Narendra Modi's ruling BJP is battling the main opposition Congress and a host of regional parties.
Leaders of two powerful regional rivals have formed a coalition against the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, and a key bellwether state.
In the last election in 2014 he led the BJP and its allies to a historic victory, winning 282 of the 428 seats it contested.
Turn outs in Indian elections are generally high and 66 per cent cast their ballot in 2014 up from 45 per cent in 1951 when the first election was held.
More than 8,250 candidates representing 464 parties contested the 2014 elections, nearly a seven-fold increase from the first election.
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