Meet on physically challenged voters in Tura

Staff Correspondent

Shillong: In view of the ensuing general elections, the District Election Officer, West Garo Hills, convened a meeting on Tuesday to discuss issues relating to physically challenged voters in the district at the Deputy Commissioner’s office chamber in Tura.

Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh informed that a special campaign including continuous identification and enrolment drive for persons with disabilities (PwD) voters in the district has been organized and have so far identified 563 PwD voters in the district. Therefore, in order to facilitate these voters on the poll day, as per the direction of the Election Commission of India to make the election more inclusive and accessible, poll volunteers will be deployed on the poll day who would help the PwDs to come and cast their vote on polling day, he said.

Further, other necessary arrangements like braille ballot papers for visually impairment, wheelchairs, etc., have been arranged at the respective polling stations to facilitate easy access to the booth, he informed. He also instructed the officials concerned to give priority to PwD voters and they should be allowed to cast their vote without making a queue.

With 80 numbers of PwDs, 51- South Tura Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC) has the highest number of PwD voters followed by 75 PwD voters in 56-Gambegre, 73 in 47-Rajabala, 51in 46-Phulbari, 49 each in 49-Dadenggre and 50-North Tura, 46 in 52-Rangsakona, 38 in 45-Tikrikilla, 27 in 57-Dalu and 25 in 44-Raksamgre LA constituencies.

Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Election), ZJ Sangma informed that this is the first time, the Election Commission of India has appointed observer for persons with disability during the election period.

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