ECI directs for special facilities to differently abled electors

Chandigarh, March 19, 2014: The Election Commission of India has directed to ensure special facilities to the differently abled electors during polling for general elections-2014.
In a communiqué received from ECI, it has been directed that the personnel at the polling station must ensure that differently abled electors should be given priority for entering the polling station, without having to wait in the queue for other electors and all necessary assistance as may be required should also be provided to them there. Full facility should be provided for such electors to take their wheel-chairs inside the polling station. In the polling stations where permanent ramps have not been provided, temporary ramps should be provided for the purpose. Besides this, the polling personnel should be specifically briefed about the provisions of Rule 49 N of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, which provides for permitting a companion to the accompany a blind/infirm elector to assist him/her to cast the vote, if he/she so wishes. It has also been directed that at the training classes for the polling personnel, they should be sensitized about the special needs of the differently abled electors, for courteous behavior towards them and providing necessary support to them at the polling station. Electors with speech and hearing impairment should also be given special care as in the case of other differently abled person.