ECI appreciate Himachal for ensuring all user friendly Election
Chief Election Commissioner of India Sushil Chandra has appreciated the state for all user friendly and good turnout of disabled voters in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.
Sushil Chandra said 74 percent turnout of disabled voters in comparison to 72 percent of rest of the voters in 2019 Lok Sabha election in Himachal Pradesh was remarkable.
ECI is committed to make all necessary arrangements for accessible and inclusive polls in the coming bye election including assembly elections next year.
He was the chief guest at the National Conference on Accessible Election organized by the Election Commission through video conferencing . Ajai Srivastava, State Coordinater for Accessible Elections and chairman of Umang Foundation represented the State in the conference.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Himachal C. Paulrasu, Daleep Negi and Neelam Dulta, both ACEO and Neeraj Sharma, OSD were also present in the conference
Ajai Srivastava apprised the Election Commission about the excellent work carried out by the Election Department of the State in the last few years to make the poll process accessible for the disabled and senior citizens.
He suggested that VVPAT system in EVM should be equipped with the audio signage so that visually impaired persons could know the fate of their vote.
He said all people with intellectual disabilities and mental illness should be enrolled in the voter lists and polling booths should be setup in all mental hospitals to enable the people with mental disabilities to use their right to vote.
He also said that a sign language interpreter should be stationed at the Election Head Quarters. When a hearing impaired person comes to the booth, he could be connected with the interpreter through video call for better communication.
