Do the disabled have a right to vote during elections?
This is just to bring focus on the right of the disabled persons during the elections. During the last assembly elections the bombay High Court had passed an order directing the election commission to make all the polling booths accessible and also to provide for braille voting sheets.
We checked with the concerned election authorities whether they are making arrangements for the disabled voters. We have been told that the disabled voters will have to inform the officer that they want to cast their votes and also if only 5 or more disabled persons are voting in a booth they will be provided with ramps. They have not mentioned anything regarding the braille sheets.
We are asking all our citizens to vote, its very sad that the disabled citizens of this city are neglected again. It does not cost much to povide for ramps and other facilities.
The disabled also have a right to choose thier representatives. Is our democracy minus the disabled people of this country?
Please write to the election officers and protest about this discrimination.
Vijay Hiremath
Email – cji@ichrl.org