From correspondents in Delhi, India, 10:02 PM IST

President Pratibha Patil walked into a polling booth flashing her brand new voter identity card to exercise her franchise - a tradition that was started by former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Dressed in a simple red sari, Patil walked into Dr. Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in President's Estate to exercise her franchise in the 15th Lok Sabha elections.

Noted scientist Kalam was the first president to begin the tradition.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)