Hero Image

Arrangements for disabled voters at Gumla booths hailed

GUMLA: Unlike in the last few elections, 80-year-old Kosila Devi, who is paralysed from the waist down, was happy to have been able to cast her vote this time, courtesy special arrangements made by the district administration. A resident of Silam village in Gumla’s Raidih block, under Lohardaga parliamentary constituency, Devi was visibly elated when she was escorted by officials on a wheelchair from near her house to the booth.




“I could exercise my franchise as I was taken to the polling booth on a wheelchair. I felt special and happy. The officers also offered me water. I couldn’t vote last time,” she said at the Silam high school booth.

Devi was not the only one. Devendra Singh (35), a differently-abled voter, from Khakhatangar village of Raidih, too, was extended similar facilities at the same booth. He voted along with his brother Ramesh Singh. “I voted to choose a leader who can work for people like us. I am struggling to get my disability certificate,” he said.

This time around, the Election Commission has undertaken a slew of initiatives for PwD voters , such as introducing Braille ballots, constructing temporary ramps , pick-up and drop facilities, among others, to increase polling percentage.

The administration identified 4,263 persons with disability (PwD) voters in Gumla district.

A district administration official said that they set up ramps at 709 polling stations in Gumla alone, besides arranging wheelchairs and tricycles.

Of the 4,263 PwD voters, 1,801 turned up to vote.

READ ON APP