How are the disabled voters doing during the election to the House of the People? What are they thinking of the election? We are already into the fifth phase of the seven-phased marathon process of election and more than half the race is run.
When we are reading the party manifestos or listening to speeches, we always have a rosy picture of the future India. This is just another dream which seldom comes true. Still we like to hear these speeches, these promises, never really believing that the rosy hue will continue.
Manifesto for the Disabled Voters
This time a few parties have remembered the disabled persons while drafting their manifestos. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) regocnised needs of the disabled voters in their manifestos in the past elections. CPI(M) has brought out an audio and sign language version of its manifesto. It promises implementation of the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the Mental Health Care Act, 2017 supported by adequate budgetary allocations.
BJP promises to conduct accessibility audits, provide accessible housing and higher interest rates on fixed deposits for persons with disabilities. The Indian National Congress has promised to amend Articles 15 and 16 to protect the disabled voters against discrimination on the ground of disability. It further seeks to recognise Braille and sign language and make all public services and places accessible.
Experience of Disabled Voters
We are just trying to explore how the blind voters, or the disabled voters at large, are thinking of this election. The Election Commission of India has been supplying Braille dummy ballots to the blind voters since 2009. Thanks to the decision of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities for making the election process a little more accessible to the blind voters. Blind voters can now read the serial number, name and party affiliation of all candidates in Braille before casting his vote. (Let us not remember that Braille literacy is still very poor in the country.) EVMs have Braille serial number beside the buttons. Arrangement of ramp is not uncommon today.
The Election Commission has made arrangements for providing certain facilities to disabled voters which include pickup for casting vote. However, voting experience is not the same for all blind voters. In some cases the local administration sent vehicles to pickup them. In some cases, they did not receive any such facility. Braille lists of candidates are present at all booths; but the polling officials are not adequately trained to handle the blind voters.
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Reservation for the Disabled in Election
