Shillong, Sept 10: Shocking, but true. Most of the ten thousands persons with disabilities (PWDs) who have completed eighteen years of age have been deprived of the right to enroll themselves in the electoral roll of the state.
This glaring fact was brought before the media by the Khasi Disabilities Association (KDA) president Starwin Kharjana Monday during a news conference. He said, “Deputy Commissioner’s office have rejected the applications for EPIC cards submitted by us.”
Kharjana said, “The magistrate in the DC’s office told us that they will not accept applications from persons with disabilities (PWDs). He said, “We had gone there for the submitting the application forms of our members but were turned down by the officials.”
Kharjana informed that out of 28, 000 PWDs in the state, 10,000 have completed the age of 18 years, he added.
Kharjana informed about the Election Commission of India directions that have stipulated that a magistrate along with other officials should conduct a house to house enrollment of those persons with severe disabilities or accept the applications submitted by their relatives.
However, Kharjana said most of the persons with disabilities are being deprived of their rights to enroll in the electoral roll of the state. He informed that the matter was also taken up with the minister in charge of Election JA Lyngdoh who instead said the matter should be look into by the election department.
Kharjana appealed to the government to intervene and ensure that persons with disabilities who are also the citizens of the state do not face such problems in the future.”- By Our Reporter
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