Hassle-free polls for disabled voters

SHILLONG, FEB 1: The state election department will use electronic voting machines (EVMs) with Braille signage and construct ramps at the polling stations to ensure full participation of differently-abled voters in the February 23 Meghalaya Assembly elections.

Talking to website on Friday, State Chief Electoral Officer P Naik said his department was taking all necessary steps to ensure hassle-free voting for the differently-abled in polling stations across the state. “We are making preparations to help the challenge people (exercise their franchise),” he said.

The steps being undertaken by the election department is in conformity with the 2005 Supreme Court order. Besides the Braille signage EVMs and ramps, the apex court had also suggested separate queues for the differently-abled in polling stations and sensitization of polling personnel with regards to the needs of the disabled persons. .

Naik, however, said it was not possible to make arrangements for the bed-ridden voters to exercise their franchise. “The postal ballots are meant for service people. There is no provision to make post ballot available to bed-ridden voters,” he said.

The Meghalaya Parents’ Association for Disabled (MEPAD) had recently urged the election department to provide all facilities to enable disabled persons cast their votes. Meghalaya has about 38,000 differently-abled people, but the exact number of eligible voters from amongst them is not known.

MEPAD secretary Belbora Wankhar said separate queues and courteous polling personnel at the polling stations would make it easier for persons with disabilities (PWD) to exercise their democratic right of voting. Others said the availability of sign-language interpreters at polling stations will also be of immense help to the deaf among the voters.- By Suraj Joshi