Elections bring hope and promise of a new start for most people.
However, for over 2,000 'joginis' in northern Telangana, the exercise holds little meaning as the ancient religious practice that forced them into flesh trade as young girls has failed to find a mention in successive poll campaigns.
The practice, also known as the Devadasi system, is prevalent especially among the Dalit community in parts of south India even after a law prohibiting it was passed almost four decades ago.
As part of this practice, parents marry their daughters to temple deities and the girls are forced to work as sex workers after they attain puberty.
Despite being ignored by the politicians, the 'joginis' cannot afford to ignore the polls as they fear losing their ration cards.
"Elections come and go but nothing has changed in my life. Still, I vote every year for fear of losing subsidised ration," Puram Ananda, a 30-year-old 'jogini', told PTI.
Recalling her plight, Ananda, who lives in a Dalit colony in Sardana village, said, "I was given to a village elder to be used by him once I reached puberty. When he got tired of me, I became 'property' of the village, to be used by any man, anytime, anywhere."