With a view to ensure the active participation of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the election process a high level meeting of different departments of Punjab Government was held today under the chairmanship of Dr. S. Kruna Raju Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab.Speaking on the occasion Dr. Raju said that the theme of the 8th NVD is “Accessible Elections”. He said that the Election Commission of India has decided to ensure the participation of the persons with disabilities in the election process during 2019 general elections. He said that the Election Registration Officers would conduct a survey to analyze the kind of help which is required for PwDs to cast their vote in their respective areas.C.E.O said that to sensitize the PwDs about the importance of a Vote, 1992 Voter Literary Clubs have been formed with total 40196 members. He said that for the help of PwDs special officers have been designated in all constituencies who will ensure the enrollment of the PwDs and will also provide requisite help to the PwDs at the polling booth to facilitate him to cast vote.He said that the volunteers of NYK, NSS, NCC and NGOs would be deputed for the help of PwDs who will also facilitate the PwDs to cast their votes. At each polling station, basic amenities like ramp facility, wheel chair, medical help, drinking water and toilets would also provided to PwDs.
Mr. Jagan Nath Singh Principal of Institute for Blind sector 26 suggested in the meeting that ballot papers for the blinds must be printed in Braille script besides permission of an assistant to accompany the PwDs while casting their vote. He also suggested that experts must also be deputed at the polling stations for the help of deaf voters. Similarly polling booths for the physically handicapped be setup at the ground floor.Director Higher Education Mr. Harjeet Singh appraised the C.E.O that as per the provisions of Disabilities act, 2016 all the colleges in the state have been instructed to display the information regarding rights of PwDs prominently at several locations in the college premises. Decides 60 percent of the buildings of colleges already have ramps and customized toilets for PwDs students. Mr. H.P. Singh Additional Director of Technical Education Department informed that 22 APOs have been deputed who will disseminate the technical information at the village level so that enrollment of PwDs can be ensured.Ms. Shailly Mittal from Social Security, Women and Child Development Department said that the help of NGOs is being taken to provide necessary information to the PwD.Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Mr. Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon, I.A.S, Director Cultural Affairs, Mr. Jaspreet Singh from the office of Director Youth Services and Mr. Sanjay Mahajan from the office of Director Sports.