City team to meet ECI for action on inclusive elections

Matters regarding adding accessibility of polling booths to the election observer’s checklist to enable inclusive elections are also on the agenda. 

Smitha Sadasivan, member of Disability Rights Alliance (DRA), who will be meeting the ECI, said, “Some of the key points on our agenda will be adding accessibility of polling stations to the election observers’ checklists. So far, in the reports by the observers, there has been no mention of poll booth accessibility for disabled persons. We will also be discussing alternative voting methods for those afflicted by rare diseases and with severe movement restrictions, which can only be brought about by amendments in the law,” she explained. 

Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu Rajesh Lakhoni, who met members of various associations of disabled persons on Monday, said that 63,118 polling stations across Tamil Nadu had the facility of ramps for the disabled. “The other 1,918 polling booths will be provided with mobile ramps. All polling booths will be at the ground level, to ensure easy access. We are also ensuring mobile barricades in front of the booths, which can be easily moved to accommodate people in wheelchairs. All the election officers and other personnel will be sensitised on how to deal with disabled people,” said the CEO. 

Lakhoni said that voter enrolment in special institutions is underway. “In Chennai, there are about 300 such institutions and so far, 150 have been covered,” he said, S Shanmugam and SK Mariappan, members of Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers, filed a petition with Lakhoni. 

“We are seeking transport facility for the differently abled. We have also sought permission for the caretaker to accompany the disabled person till the voting machine. On receiving the petition, Lakhoni assured us that the differently abled in hilly regions will be provided transportation,” said the activists. 

Gnana Bharathi D, President, Spinal Injured Persons Association (SIPA), had requested for two attenders, to help disabled people on the ramps. Preetha Krishnadas, Assistant Director, The Banyan, said that those affected by mental health are often discounted from the electoral process. “On our premises, where there is a voter enrolment booth, only 42 out of 160 people were registered, while the others were not taken into account on the pretext of being of ‘unsound mind’. When we approached the CEO, he ensured that unless directed by the court against voting, people living in institutions like ours are a part of the poll process and encouraged registration,” she concluded.

A helpline service will be introduced whereby the disabled can seek redressal as well as register lost voter IDs and for any further clarifications. “By typing star and their voter’s ID number and sending it to 1950, people can file their complaints as well as seek any other poll-related help. The complaint will be registered at our help desk and within a few minutes, an official will be sent to help them,” he explained.