Election Commission to focus on special voters

Amaravati: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is contemplating to provide ballot papers in Braille script for the benefit of the visually-challenged voters in the ensuing general elections in Andhra Pradesh.

Chief Electoral Officer RP Sisodia, in a meeting with the nine-member state steering committee on Tuesday at the Secretariat, said that there were more than 5.5 lakh challenged people taking monthly pension from the state government and the EC would ensure that everyone of them figure in electoral rolls.

The commission has declared the theme of this year as ‘Accessible Elections’ and to lay special focus on facilitating Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the electoral process.

State Level Steering Committee on Accessible Election (SSCAE) has been constituted in the state under the chairmanship of the Chief Electoral Officer and the representatives from Women Development, Child Welfare, Disabled Welfare and Sr Citizens Dept., Social Welfare Dept., Education Dept., R&B Dept., Visually Challenged Employees Association, AP Association of the Deaf as Members to make the entire electoral process accessible and inclusive for all persons with disabilities.

The committee will ensure that polling station-wise mapping of PwD electors is carried out in the State, and data is maintained and updated regularly. PwDs who are not enrolled are identified and facilitating their enrolment in the electoral roll, create an enabling barrier-free environment for efficient and effective electoral participation of persons with Disabilities in the state, Sosodia said.

There will be training for election functionaries which includes a component on sensitising them on special needs of PwDs. A module would be prepared and shared on the same and share with the districts and special camps would be planned for enrolment and sensitization of PwDs in the State.

Similar committees at district level have been constituted under the chairmanship of the district collector and at Assembly constituency level headed by the electoral registration officer.

The minimum facilities will be ensured at the polling stations, such as provision of sturdy ramps, wheel chairs, signage boards, designated parking, direct access to polling stations, to and fro transport.

The State Level Committee in its first meeting discussed the issues and plan of action for various measures to be taken for providing facilities to the PwDs in registration, awareness and voter education and participation in the electoral process and chalked out a plan for implementing the same.