This story is from March 23, 2019

Bihar: Pick and drop service for disabled voters

Bihar: Pick and drop service for disabled voters
Representative image
PATNA: The state chief electoral office has geared up to make special arrangements for disabled people and elderly voters at polling booths to ensure their large participation.
Of the total 7,06,03,778 voters in the state, 1,01,79,887 (7.3%) are above 60 years of age. While 60,41,637 voters are registered in the age group of 60-69 years, 29,07,296 are in the group of 70-79 years.
The remaining 12,30,954 voters are above 80 years of age.
The district electoral officers and other government officials will make arrangements for wheelchairs and ramps at polling booths for easy movement of disabled voters and elderly citizens. Those, who have no means to travel to the booths, will also be given pick and drop facility. Altogether XXXX disabled voters have been identified in the state.
During the first phase of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, voting will be held at Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada and Jamui on April 11.
Patna district magistrate-cum-district electoral officer Kumar Ravi told this newspaper, “So far, we have identified 31,000 disabled voters who will cast their votes at polling booths in Patna district on May 19. We will provide transportation facility by picking them up from their houses and dropping them back.”
Besides, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched the PwD app to offer customized services to disabled people. After getting themselves registered, they can avail facilities like pick and drop service, ramps, drinking water, lights, wheelchairs and Braille voter slips.

Braille voter slips for blind people: At least 27,526 disabled voters have been identified in Gaya district.
According to Gaya DM Abhishek Singh, “Of the 3,108 polling stations, disabled people will cast their votes at 2,900. Transportation facilities will be provided in 72 localities where they live.”
The administration is likely to complete all the arrangements, including Braille voter slips for blind people, ramps, wheelchairs and waiting rooms, within a few days.
The general elections, which will begin on April 11, will be conducted in seven phases till May 19, followed by counting of votes on May 23.
author
About the Author
Faryal Rumi

She is working with the Times of India as a Senior Digital Content Creator on the Patna desk.

End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA