PwD voters from other dists dial Corpn for help

However, the civic officials are receiving calls from the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) voters of Thoothukudi, Trichy and other southern districts. “We cannot assist the PwD voters calling from other districts. The phone number released by the Corporation is only for voters in the Chennai district,” a Chennai Corporation official said.

The officials added that, as of Tuesday, the exclusive phone number, to which the PwD voters could give missed call, message or WhatsApp to share their details, had not received any call from the city.

“For the past few days, voters from other districts called us for help. But we directed them to call Election Commission’s 1950 toll-free number, as we cannot assist them. TV channels interpreted the number released by the Corporation is for the entire State,” he said.

The Greater Chennai Corporation, which is also the district election office, had released a number (94454 77699) and invited the voters with disabilities and their relatives to share details of their voters’ id cards. The civic body would help such voters by assisting them in visiting the polling booths on the election day apart from making wheelchair and Braille arrangements.

Meanwhile, PwD rights activists demand the Chennai Corporation to continue the drive, despite lack of response, as the voters with disabilities would contact the officials later. “There is still nearly a month to the polling day. So, the Corporation should continue receiving details of PwD voters until a day before the polling day. Also, the officials should create awareness on the facility and intensify the awareness drive during the last week,” S Namburajan, state general secretary of Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers said.