Election Commission eyes voting-from-home for disabled

NEW DELHI: As the Election Commission focuses on making polls more accessible for differently-abled voters, it has offered to look at alternative voting methods for persons with disabilities (PwDs), including advance voting or early voting, voting from home, postal vote, transport assistance or mobile polling station concept, provided these do not compromise the sanctity and secrecy of vote.

As per the strategic framework finalised at the national consultation on accessible elections organised by EC last week, the commission also agreed to examine the scope and need for legislative measures to enhance electoral participation of physically-challenged people.

The framework — based on the premise of ‘no voter to be left behind’ — was drawn up in consultation with representative of national parties, government ministries/departments, disability experts and civil society organisations. The EC will examine the feasibility of allowing persons with disabilities to vote before general voting hours so as to save them the trouble of having to queue up. The possibility of extending the postal ballot facility to differently-abled people will also be weighed. Also, persons with disabilities, who will be mapped by the EC constituency and polling station-wise, may be facilitated with transportation to the polling station or could be allowed to vote at mobile polling stations in the days to come.

Some of these measures may require amendments to election laws or conduct of election rules. The EC will also ensure that special measures aimed at boosting participation of physically-challenged voters meet the essential requirements of sanctity and secrecy of vote.

The EC had last week announced steps aimed at better involvement of differently-abled voters in the electoral process. This included printing of electoral photo identity cards in Braille, mobile app to educate and motivate voters with disabilities, sign language window for deaf voters and free transport facility for them along with their assistants.

The commission will be taking further steps including identifying barriers to participation of disabled voters and finding solutions, mapping of PwDs through mapping or initial voter registration, customised voter education to cater to different requirements of PwDs, developing user-friendly websites for PwDs of different categories, engaging the help of government and civil society organisations for capacity building and constitution of special committees on accessible elections.