For voters with disabilities in Delhi, the assembly elections next
year will be more inclusive. The Election Commission has agreed to provide
postal ballots facility to voters with disabilities and also those aged above
80 years.
Gong to the polling booth to cast votes is not always convenient for people
with multiple disabilities, restricted mobility and also aged people. While
the Election Commission has been working on making voting
inclusive across the country, many voting booths are not accessible.
Due to this, many people opt out of using their voting rights as they cannot
physically got to cast their votes at designated booths. Next year, the
assembly elections in Delhi will not have such issues as postal ballot option
will be offered to people who cannot make it to the polling stations. This
has become possible after the recent amendments to the Conduct of
Election Rules by the law ministry.
It is a great news that people with disabilities and those aged over 80
years will be able to participate in the elections, which I feel is the
festival of democracy. However, this arrangement should not be used as an
excuse for not making the polling booths accessible and voting centers
should be made inclusive despite the postal ballots option. I would also
suggest that the postal ballots option should be extended to people
undergoing treatment in hospitals who are not able to cast their votes by
physically going to the polling booths. Dr Satendra Singh,
Disability right activist
To avail the postal ballots facility, voters will be required to mark
themselves using the ‘Voter Helpline’ application or by
visiting the voter centers prior to the elections. Voters
will then be provided the postal ballots that they will have to return by
post to register their vote.
Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi Ranbir Singh spoke to the
media and said, “People can check their names in the electoral roll by
visiting the website of the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, voter helpline
application etc. On November 23 and 24, there will be special camps held at
all designated stations for the purpose.”
Ranbir Singh also said that there are around 44,000 disabled
voters in Delhi as per the electoral roll.
The final electoral roll for Delhi will be published on 6 January
2020 and people who have turned 18 or will be turning 18 on or
before 1 January, can also get their names added in the
voter list and exercise their voting rights.
However, much before Delhi, the postal ballots facility will be put to use in
the upcoming Jharkhand assembly polls that are to begin from
30 November.
To register for the electoral roll, voters can visit the website:
https://nvsp.in/
