Voting Facilities for Disabled Persons in India: Ensuring Equal Access to the Electoral Process
Yes, if you are a disabled person, you can cast your vote without any barriers.
Many people think, “I am a disabled person, so I cannot cast my vote for the candidate I want to.” However, this is not true. Being disabled does not mean you lose your right to vote.
The Election Commission of India has taken numerous steps to ensure that disabled persons can cast their votes just like any other citizen.
In this article, we will discuss the facilities provided by the Election Commission of India
to ensure that disabled persons can exercise their right to vote without any difficulty.
Disabled persons often have many questions about voting, such as:
- As a disabled person, can I cast my vote?
- How can I cast my vote?
Voters with Disabilities
The Election Commission is dedicated to creating an equal voting experience for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
It focuses on respect, dignity, and making voting easy and accessible for everyone.
This helps build confidence among disabled voters and increases their participation in elections.
Who are PwD voters?
People with one or more of the 21 disabilities listed in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 are considered voters with disabilities.
Currently, PwD voters are included in the electoral roll under the following categories:
- Visual impairment
- Speech & hearing disability
- Locomotor disability (movement-related disabilities)
- Other disabilities
Key Highlights For Disabled Person
- The 2019 General Elections motto was ‘Accessible Elections.’
- Several measures were introduced to make voting easier for disabled voters:
- Mapping disabled voters to their nearest polling stations.
- Ramps for easy access.
- Braille-embossed Voter ID cards and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
- Transportation facilities for disabled voters.
- Sign language interpreters to assist those with hearing impairments.
How to register as a PwD voter?
You can register in any of these categories by:
- Filling Form 6 online,
- Visiting the voter service center, or
- Using the Saksham ECI Application.
What has the Election Commission done for PwD voters?
The Commission has taken many steps to make voting easier and more inclusive for persons with disabilities. Here are some of the key initiatives:
- Mapping PwD voters: Every polling station keeps track of PwD voters to serve them better.
- Polling stations on the ground floor: All voting booths are now accessible.
- PwD-friendly facilities under AMF: Polling stations are equipped with facilities like ramps and proper signage.
- Separate queue for PwDs: Special queues to reduce waiting time.
- Home voting option: For those unable to travel, a home voting facility is available.
- Braille voter ID cards/slips: These help visually impaired voters identify their details.
- Braille features on EVMs: Voting machines are equipped with Braille for easy use.
- Wheelchairs and ramps: Smooth access with proper ramps and wheelchairs at polling stations.
- Free transport facility: Pickup and drop-off services are provided for PwD voters.
How to Register for Voting as a Disabled Person
- Get Your Documents Ready
- You will need your Unique Disability Identification Card (UDID) and a valid proof of age.
- Make sure your details match with the voter list of your polling booth.
- Fill the Form 12D
- Form 12D is a letter to inform the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) about your voting preference.
- You can get this form from your Booth Level Officer (BLO) or download it online.
- Form 12D Link
- Home Visit by Booth Level Officers
- After the nomination withdrawal deadline, BLOs will visit your home.
- If you are not available during the first visit, they will return once more before 26th April (the last day of polling).
- If you miss both visits, unfortunately, you will lose your chance to vote this time.
- Postal Ballot
- If you apply for a postal ballot, you cannot vote in person at the polling booth.
- Postal ballots are handled with care and carried in sealed envelopes to ensure your vote remains secret.
Need More Help For Disabled Person
- Visit the Election Commission of India’s official website for more details.
- Speak to a representative by calling 1950 between 9 AM and 9 PM.
These were the major steps taken by the Election Commission of India to ensure that disabled persons can cast their vote just like any other citizen.
However, I don’t think these facilities are working properly during elections.
For example, I have not seen any wheelchair facilities in poling area,
there were no any officials present specifically to assist disabled persons.