The Election Commission has taken special measures for the disabled and senior voters in the 2023 assembly elections.
3328 polling stations in Tripura will have ramp facilities to ensure their voting rights.
There will also be multiple facilities in the polling station.
The Election Commission of India has issued specific instructions regarding measures and initiatives to be adopted by the Chief Electoral Officer for the disabled and senior citizens ahead of the upcoming general elections to the Tripura Assembly.
All eligible Divyangjan voters will be listed and mapped, the commission said. Identification of benchmark Divyangjan voters has started. Only those new Divyangjan voters who have applied for enrollment have had hearings conducted at their homes.
ERO office officials have visited their homes to conduct hearings so that Divyangjan voters do not have to come during the hearings.
Commute facility will be provided to all eligible Divyangjans and senior citizens. Eligible voters will be provided a registration facility on web portal/PWD app or helpline to avail these facilities.
According to the Election Commission, there will be a system of voting through postal ballot for Divyangjan and senior voters (above 80 years).
Applications in Form 12D will be collected from their homes by the selection staff.
Besides, some other facilities will be provided at all polling stations for the benefit of Divyangjans and senior citizens (above 80 years).
The commission said 3,328 polling stations in Tripura have been demarcated all on one floor. Ramps with standard gradient will be ensured at all polling stations.
So far, out of 3,328 polling stations, 3,124 polling stations have ramp facility. The construction of ramps in the remaining 204 polling stations has been completed.
Along with this, separate queues will be arranged for Divyangjan voters in each polling station.
The election commission also demanded that every polling station will have wheelchairs. All District Election Officers, Department of Social Welfare and Social Education and Department of Education were requested to arrange required number of wheelchairs.
Meanwhile, the Chief Electoral Officer, Tripura will appoint acceptable Management Observers for all districts as directed by the Election Commission of India.
They will visit at least 10 polling stations in at least three assembly constituencies in each district to ensure that all necessary facilities are in place.
SAKSHAM ECI App will be widely promoted to increase the usage of the app for Divyangjan voters, the Commission has directed.
CEO website should be acceptable for easy access. Polling staff should be sensitive to the acceptance management requirements specified by the Commission.
Polling Officers will deal with sensitivities and senior voters with sensitivity.
Also, the Commission demanded that prominent Divyangjan persons of the district and state should come forward to motivate the Divyangjan voters to participate in the election process. Meetings with CSOs and NGOs will be planned.
