Election Commission looks to provide inclusive voting platform

More than 3.5 lakh persons with disability have approached the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, responding to calls from the Election Commission about their needs during the Assembly elections.

To make the elections more inclusive, the commission is reaching out to vulnerable groups, including he physically challenged and senior citizens, to understand the facilities they would require at polling booths. “Already, 3.5 lakh people have registered with us. We are expecting the numbers to go up closer to the elections. We will provide the facilities that they require...,” Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar told The Hindu. Among the facilities to be provided are wheelchairs, separate queues at polling booths, and drinking water, all of which are being taken care of, he said.

According to the 2011 Census, Karnataka had 13.2 lakh persons with disability, of whom around 9 lakh had voting rights. According to activists, these numbers are likely to have gone up since.

Braille sheet

Sources said that for the visually challenged, a Braille sheet with the list of candidates, party names and serial numbers would be made available at every booth. “People can ask for it to understand the serial number of their preference. They can even use assistance to vote,” a source said.

According to Babu S., assistant director (Policy and Advocacy), Association of People With Disability, surveys have been conducted in north Karnataka, and a number of persons with disabilities are registered as voters. “In Bengaluru alone, 20,000 fresh voters were added,” he said. Expressing happiness with the increased interest in making voting accessible to persons with disabilities, he said basic infrastructure, including ramps, railings and wheelchairs, was a must. “We are also planning to meet election officials shortly,” he said.

Booth responsibility

For the first time, Election Commission is trying to have polling booths manned exclusively by persons with disabilities. The commission has already announced 450 all-woman polling booths in the State. Sources said one booth manned by persons with disabilities was being planned in each district. “So far, persons with disabilities have not been roped in for elections. However, to give them an opportunity to take part in the process, the commission is working with the idea of having one booth in a district manned by such people,” a source said.

Discussions are on to provide transport facility for those with severe debilities, the bedridden, and senior citizens unable to come to polling booths. According to sources, the district electoral officers have sought approval to have such a facility and the Chief Electoral Officer has to take a decision. “This also has financial implications, though it will go a long way in making elections inclusive,” a source said.