Hyderabad : The Election Commission of India has declared “Accessible Elections” as the central theme for this year’s National Voters’ Day celebrations. As part of the theme, special focus was being given to facilitate a larger engagement of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the electoral process. Across the State, 4,12,098 PwD electors have been mapped in the electoral rolls part-wise based on information collected from the Sadarem database.
Today Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat and Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sunil Arora today interacted with the nine celebrities with disabilities, who have agreed to work with the office of the CEO as icons. Ms Abhinaya, State icon for PwDs, interacted with the ECI team this morning. They are: Sravya, singer Visually Impaired; Mahender Vaishnav, International Blind Cricketer, Visually Impaired; G. Madhu, International Blind Cricketer, Visually Impaired; Anees Sulthana, IT Developer, Visually Impaired; T. Venkatesh, Radio Jockey, Visually Impaired; Abhinaya, Actor, Hearing Impaired; Thandan Babu Nayak, scientist in R&D, Orthopedically challenged; Narsing Rao, Barrier Free Campaigner, Orthopedically challenged and Sujatha, TV Anchor, Muscular Dystrophy.
During the interaction, the need to engage more PwDs and increase the number mapped to the polling stations was discussed. It was pointed out that the Form 6 used for voter enrollment has an option where the new voter can specify her disability (if any). The Election Commission launched Braille epic cards and voter slips today.
The CEC flagged GHMC’s model mobile van showing the Model Polling Station for PwDs and a mobile van for EVM & VVPAT being used to create awareness among the electors. The Commission also inaugurated “VAADA” (Voter Accessibility App for the Differently Abled) developed by GHMC. This Mobile App makes the voting process for the Differently Abled convenient and increases the accessibility by enabling them to request for transportation and identification of location of their polling station. VAADA has a text, voice as well as GIS (Geographic Information System) interface. The voice interface has been specially included keeping in mind the challenges of the differently abled.
Two films made with celebrities Pullela Gopichand (Badminton Player and Coach) and V.V.S. Lakshman (Cricket Player) with Sign language on enrolment and ethical voting were also launched by the Commission. As part of the drive to make the voting process easier for PwDs, CEO Rajat Kumar asked the District Collectors to ensure that the following minimum facilities are ensured at Polling Stations: Provision of sturdy ramps, wheel chairs, signage boards, designated parking, direct access to polling stations, free transportation to and from Polling Stations and Polling stations located on ground floor. (NSS)