Page 230 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Leap of Faith Journey of Indian Elections

Assured Minimum Facili es at Polling Sta ons: states across India, there have been widespread efforts
Ahead of the Seventeenth General Elec ons, 2019 the made to shi polling sta ons to the ground floor to make
Elec on Commission (vide its le er dated March 16, them more accessible to PwDs.
2019) issued an instruc on to Chief Electoral Officers in Postal Ballot Facility for ‘Absentee Voters’:
all states/UTs to ensure “Assured Minimum Facili es” at
all polling sta ons. The 15 items placed on the list Enrolled voters in the categories of –
included facili es such as ramp with 1:10 (or less) a) Above 80 years of age
gradient, drinking water, adequate furniture, medical kit,
b) Persons with Disabili es (PwD) and
help desk, toilet, shade, proper signage, volunteers
below the age of 18 years, provision for crèche for c) Those engaged in maintenance of essen al services as
children, provision for transporta on facility for persons no fied by the Elec on Commission from me to me
with visual and locomo ve difficul es etc. In various have now been accorded the status of ‘Absentee Voters’.

EMPOWERED

POSTAL
BALLOT

Ensuring Accessible
Elections

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