In view of the upcoming 2023 general election, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD), Diethono Nakhro has written to the chief electoral officer (CEO) Nagaland on measures to be taken for voters with disabilities to exercise their franchise without any obstacles or barriers in line with ECI’s Strategic Framework on Accessible Elections.
According to a DIPR report, SCPD in the letter pointed out that Section 11 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 states, “The Election Commission of India and the State Election Commissions shall ensure that all polling stations are accessible to persons with disabilities and all materials related to the electoral process are easily understandable by and accessible to them.”
In this regard, SCPD underlined the following aspects, which are included in the Strategic Framework for action: advisory to political parties; pre-poll & poll day preparation/facilitation—database of voters with disabilities; training/sensitisation; physical access and facilities at polling stations; alternative voting methods and volunteers
The state commissioner further requested that a meeting of the State Steering Committee on Accessible Elections along with other stakeholders is called at the earliest to deliberate on an Action Plan to ensure accessible elections for voters with disabilities.