EC plans to ferry disabled, elderly to polling booths TNN | May 9, 2016, 03.07 AM IST Chennai: In a novel initiative aimed at improving voters' participation in the assembly polls, the Election Commission is considering ferrying persons with disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens to polling booths in Chennai.
"Differently abled persons and senior citizens residing in care centres would be transported to the polling stations. We are contemplating carrying it out on a pilot basis," corporation commissioner and district election officer B Chandra Mohan told TOI. With the Greater Chennai Corporation equipped with adequate resources like vehicles, official sources said there would not be any constraint in providing the facility. This comes against the backdrop of the EC's drive to achieve 100% polling. Steps have been taken to provide ramps and wheelchairs at polling stations to facilitate PwD to exercise their franchise without any inconvenience. The Election Commission has directed that disabled electors are provided with provisions such as designated parking spaces close to the entrance of polling premises and special care for electors with speech and hearing impairment. Special stress has also been laid for sensitisation of polling personnel regarding the unique needs of the differently abled. "People with disabilities would be given priority at polling stations, wherein they need not have to wait in queue for voting. Moreover, care takers, who accompany them, will be allowed to vote on a priority basis," said an officer involved in the election process. Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/EC-plans-to-ferry-disabled-elderly-to-polling-booths/articleshow/52180642.cms -- m. sivakumar. P.hd. International Institute of Tamil Studies CIT Campus, 2nd Main Road, Tharamani, Chennai, 600113 We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one. Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
