March 15, 2019
The Election Commission of India (ECI)‘s Accessible Election
promises seem to be unravelling at the preliminary stage.
Many disabled voters in Chennai have alleged that repeated attempts to get
through 1950, the helpline number of the ECI helpline number 1950 are
failing. With the voter registration deadline of 16 March just days away,
they are angry and upset.
Balasubramaniam, who is bedridden due to a physical
disability, is worried as he has not been able to register himself so far. “I
want to get my voter ID and have called 1950 often but have not been able to
get through. I am worried that I will not be able to register myself by
Saturday. I cannot walk to the registration centre and I was happy when I
heard the ECI say that its officials would come home to register voters if
needed”.
In Sumitha Prasad‘s case, there are eight disabled people
relying on her to register to vote. Prasad manages a bakery that is run by
people with disabilities, all of whom want to vote. She was counting on the
ECI’s promise to register disabled people at the doorstep.
“We run a neighbourbood bakery and there are eight people who want to
register. They need to be enrolled and I was counting on the EC to send an
official here to validate them because taking all of them to the centre will
be a hassle. I have been trying the number and I always put on hold and then
the line gets cut off. Why go around claiming that you are fully accessible
when you are not?”, asks Prasad, the anger evident in her voice. “Just be
upfront and say you are somewhat accessible. This is really disheartening and
we are not jobless people that we can keep trying the number all day long”.
It’s not the regular public, even disability rights activists are struggling
to reach election officials to address the issue. TMN
Deepak, Founder, 3 December Movement, is among the
leaders who has been working closely with the ECI office in Chennai.
Even I have had no success in accessing 1950. The number does not connect.
This cannot be the case. Why does the Chief Election Commissioner make
statements like disabled people will be enrolled at the doorstep when you
cannot even ensure access to a helpline? The Chief Election Officer of
Tamil Nadu is not even meeting us. – TMN Deepak, Founder 3 December
Movement
Sentiments shared by Gnana Bharti of the Disability
Rights Association of India (DRAI, who says the EC must live up to
its promises to ensure inclusive elections. “Two months ago when we met the
Chief Electoral Officer, he promised us support if we called the helpline.
Now the situation is such that the number gets disconnected after two steps.
We are not giving up and will call him for help”.
Source: https://newzhook.com/story/21668
