HAILAKANDI, March 26 - All efforts are being made by the Hailakandi district administration to ensure that persons with disabilities (PwDs) can cast their votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls without any hassle.
The district administration will ensure that PwDs cast their votes and make the Election Commission of India�s (ECI) motto � �No voter to be left behind� � a reality.
The district administration headed by Keerthi Jalli is mulling a series of PwDs-friendly measures at polling stations.
As part of the initiative, the administration has focused on identifying the barriers, challenges and possible solutions for greater participation of PwDs in the electoral process.
In this connection, a meeting was convened by Jalli with a section of PwDs of the district on Sunday. Pledge was taken by the disabled persons at the Nazrul Sadan auditorium that they will vote in the upcoming elections on April 18 in the district.
Under the Election Commission of India�s strategic plan for 2016-2025, greater participation of PwDs in the electoral process has been identified as one of the core objectives.
According to the 2011 census, India has around 70 million people with disabilities.
The district administration is working hard to make the district the most disabled-friendly one. Arrangements are being made for providing wheelchairs to ensure that the PwDs reach the voting machines without any hurdle.
Free pick-up and drop facility will be provided to differently-abled voters from their residences to the polling stations and vice versa.
The ECI in its order said, �Each and every PwDs should be tagged polling station-wise and he/she should be picked up from his/her residence and dropped back after he/she has cast vote.�
Demonstrations are being presented in the model polling stations to the disabled voters to educate and motivate them about the use of EVM and VVPAT machine. �Necessary things required for PwD voters will be provided at the polling booths. Booth-level officers will assist them,� said Jalli.
