‘Vote of disabled equally important’

Eluru: The vote of physically-challenged person is equally important in a democracy to elect a good government, opined Zilla Parishad CEO V Nagarjunasagar.

He flagged off a rally to bring awareness among the differently-abled persons on the value of vote here.

Speaking on the occasion, he called upon the physically-challenged persons to register their vote, if they were ignorant of the voting process. Vote is a valuable weapon in any democracy. Every voter, irrespective of disability, must exercise franchise for building a healthy democracy.

He explained various measures being taken to help the physically-challenged voters at various polling stations. He urged cooperation of individuals and social service organisations to help the physically-challenged register as voters.

Assistant director of department of disabled welfare Prasada Rao said that out of total 47,000 physically-challenged voters in the district, only 27,335 registered as voters.

The administration was taking all necessary steps to register the remaining persons as voters through various awareness programmes. As many as 17 voter awareness rallies were planned till March 20.

With regard to blind voters, the Election Commission (EC) would supply ballot paper in Braille. Those who wish to avail transport from home to polling booth on Election Day should avail the facility of attendant.

They can choose one of their relatives as their attendant and register their name with the village secretary concerned, he explained.