VOTERS WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS : DIVERSITY, DISABILITY &  INCLUSION.  

VOTING RIGHTS - CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES

The Constitution of India, Persons with Disabilities Act 1995, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Forum for Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBOSA) Resolution provide for non-discrimination and equal opportunities of persons with disabilities in general as well as in the Electoral process and Political Participation.

More recently the Supreme Court’s orders in WP 1807/2004 have also laid down basic minimum facilities to be provided to voters with disabilities. http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/current/Differently_abled_Eng_23092014.pdf

WHO IS A PERSON WITH DISABILITY ?

Persons with disabilities include those who have long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. (UNCRPD Article 1)   

A disability is not necessarily visible in nature, in fact sometimes appearances could potentially mislead. The ideal approach is therefore to ensure end-to-end accessibility of the entire electoral process. Assume competence and soundness of mind. Avoid questioning people standing in the priority queue for disabled / senior citizens on their disability. Offer help when requested.

HOW TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS FOR ALL VOTERS

Voters may walk with difficulty or depend on aids like sticks, crutches or walking frames. Some voters may prefer to crawl, others use wheelchairs. Voters may have impaired sight, hearing, or speech as well as difficulties with mood, social interaction or cognition. Based on the voter’s need, election officials must provide reasonable accommodation and individualised adjustments to ensure parity of process. Allow companions assisting disabled voters to vote after them, cutting down wait time.

STEPS TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY

• 1. Approach to the polling booth from the road onwards should be level and free of obstructions with no aerial or ground hazards on the pathway.

  2. Security barricades to be briefed to allow  voters with disabilities to alight at a designated drop- off point at the entrance. Priority parking could be made available where possible.

  3. Priority queuing for disabled to be indicated by sign at wheelchair-height  line of vision with symbol, colour, size and contrast as per standards. Each polling location’s wheelchair facility should be similarly indicated and be plainly visible. Directions, booth, toilet, drinking water and other facilities signs are also required at wheelchair friendly height.

  4. Polling station to be on the ground floor with every change in level or step accompanied by a non-slippery ramp with handrails to 1:12 gradient. Priority access issues include parking, drop off points at venue and queues. Height of signage and furniture should accommodate wheelchair users independent functioning. Cables should be avoided on the pathway zone and taped down for safety.

  5. Assuming a standard wheelchair’s dimensions of 30” x 48” ground space, a wheelchair user would require a clear floor space of 60” diameter to turn around and manoeuvre near the voting compartment.

  6. Table height and dimensions should allow wheelchair users / people of short stature to use (fill forms if needed) and reach (all buttons of the EVM) comfortably. Drinking water facility as well as toilet facility should be accessible by wheelchair users. The ground should be clean and dry so that people who crawl are not inconvenienced.

• 1. A Braille ballot paper dummy in English and Tamil should be made available to visually impaired readers on request so they can memorise their preferred candidate serial number and choose the corresponding button on the EVM’s Braille numbered sticker.

  2. The Braille-stickered EVM panel may need to be tilted slightly to an elevated position to facilitate ease and accuracy of pressing the voting button.

  3. SOME voters with visual impairments or restricted mobility or neurological conditions may require assistance in making their vote. Their assistant may enable voting and subsequently sign the declaration in form 14A. Permitting the assistant to cast their vote immediately after the voter with disability would be desirable.

  4. If voter has no left index finger, any other finger of left hand can be inked. In absence of left hand, same order could be followed for the right hand. In absence of both hands, inking may be done in the same order on the foot or stump of extremity. Be patient with voters taking longer time than others - only if a voter indicates inability to sign, communicate that a  thumb impression would be required. Offer to assist and talk through the process BEFORE guiding voter’s hand.