Need for participation of PwDs in polls highlighted
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 08 2021: An awareness programme on "the Rights and Importance of the Participation of People with Disabilities in Upcoming Election' was held at Government Dance College, Palace Compound here on Monday.

Sponsored by office of Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur in association with Social Welfare Department, Manipur, Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training & Research, Cuttack Odisha, the programme was organised by Handicapped Development Foundation.

Additional Chief Electoral Officer N Praveen Singh said that the enrolment of people with disabilities is of utmost importance so that they could fully exercise their adult franchise in the election.

Marking of already enrolled PwDs as PwDs in the electoral roll will enable inclusive and accessible elections.

This will help in preparing all polling stations easily accessible by people with disabilities and all materials related to electoral process can be made easily understandable and usable by them.

It will also make them avail the Assured Minimum Facility (AMF) in all the polling stations, facilitating them in casting their votes with ease, he explained.

Praveen also informed that strict instructions had been issued to all the election officials concerned to identify the PwDs who have been enrolled and who are yet to be enrolled during this Special Summary Revision, 2022.He sought public support and cooperation in identifying the left-out PwDs so that they could be enrolled in the electoral roll.

For easy accessibility by the public for corrections and inclusion in the electoral roll, mobile apps have already been developed.

Any eligible voter can easily monitor their applications through the Reference number provided.

Period of filing claims and objections is from November 1 to 30, 2021, he added.

Deputy Commissioner, Imphal East, Kh Diana Devi said that efforts are on for ensuring inclusive and accessible elections, adding that certain plans are being undertaken to man the polling station totally by the PwDs in the upcoming election as done in the past election.

The awareness programme was attended by Director, Social Welfare Department, Ng Uttam; Joint CEO, Md S Daulat Khan, Nodal Officer, Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training & Research, Cuttack, Odisha, AN Nanda, officials concerned and beneficiaries.

Assessment-cum-distribution camp of aids and assistive devices for PwDs and registration of UDID for PwDs was also held.

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