April 30, 2019
The fourth phase of 2019 Lok Sabha elections took place in 9
states yesterday. The states that went to poll are Bihar, West Bengal Madhya
Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Jammu
and Kashmir.
Sadly the voting experience was largely uncomfortable for voters with
disability despite Elections Commission’s promise to make
elections accessible for all.
Inaccessible polling booths, lack of wheelchairs, ramps, volunteers and the
lack of sensitization among booth officials were the most common problems
faced by the disabled voters.
Many polling booths were set up at first floors making them a huge hurdle for
voters with mobility related issues.
Satyaprakash Tiwari is an International Para sports person
and wheelchair user. He shared his polling experience from a polling booth in
Ghatkopar east, a suburb in Mumbai. .
I had expected that unlike previous elections, this time things will be
different, however, everything remained the same and there was no
improvement. The ramp at the polling station was incorrectly constructed
and was unusable for wheelchair users. The path leading to the ramp was
also not safe. What is the use of making a ramp that cannot be accessed by
wheelchair users without taking help from others? Satyaprakash
Tiwari, International Para sports person
In case of polling stations set up at first floors, the option offered to
people with disability who wish to cast their votes is to be lifted up the
stairs by volunteers or other voters. Not only is this unsafe for the voters,
it is also not a dignified option and is an extremely uncomfortable way to
cast vote.
Here is what Jasmina Khanna, a Software tester had to say
about her voting experience.
“I went to cast vote. Polling officers were very courteous. Polling booth
was had ramps. But a few concerns about the polling booth. They didn’t allow
me to park the car inside the premises even though there was enough space.
There were many senior citizens were finding it difficult to walk to the
booth from the gate. I didn’t see any wheelchair kept at the booth. Since I
had registered through PWD app my voting room was kept on the ground floor.
There were many rooms on the higher floors without lift.”
A major issue is that the ramps are made just for the sake of formality
without taking into consideration their practical use by wheelchair users.
A ramp made without referring to the proper guidelines is also danger to the
safety of wheelchair users and may even cause damage to their mobility
devices.
Disability Rights Alliance- DRA India tweeted, ”Replying
to @Ivy_90 @milinddeora @ECISVEEP We’ve highlighted the problem of first
floor polling stations and @CEO_Maharashtra has assured there will be 4
people to carry voters up the flights of steps at each such station. While
this is unsafe and undesirable, it’s still an option. Is this facility not
there? #Votability”
Dr Ketna L Mehta, the Founder Trustee of Nina Foundation had
a positive voting experience and she shared it with NewzHook.
“My brother and sister in law accompanied me by car to the nearby polling
station in Sion, Mumbai around 2.30 pm. The entire police contingent and
government staff were so cooperative, smiling and helpful. A special mention
of proactiveness displayed by Mr Ravindra Koli, Health Department ( Malaria)
KEM Hospital. As soon as he saw my brother helping me out of the car with my
walkerat the entrance of the BMC School in Sion he came forward and enquired
if I needed a wheelchair and pronto brought a brand new, in good condition
Easy Care wheelchair. There was a well-constructed appropriate ramp with
grooves and he deftly maneuvered me inside my polling station no 120. All the
six ladies and gentlemen were smiling, quick and responsive. They quickly did
their tasks and I was placed in front of the EVM’s to vote. Within minutes
I could comfortably exercise my franchise. On request they permitted
photographs as it’s great to share positive news about my wow experience. ”
Ritika Sahni, Founder-Trustee of Trinayani said, ”The
feedback I received from voters with disability was both positive and
negative. What I observed is that most people with mobility issues faced
ordeals while voting due to inaccessible polling stations and lack of proper
facilities like ramps and wheelchairs. These booths also lacked in sensitized
officials who made the experience even worse. While at few polling booths the
arrangement was proper and the disabled voters were taken care of giving a
positive turn to the whole process. “
Some voters who had registered with the PWD app got the necessary aid, while
others did not, even after feeding all essentials details in the app. Ritika
Sahni added.
Source: https://newzhook.com/story/22113
