A forum for inclusive expression

Proud to Vote!

We have made this newsletter
accessible in terms of use of font,spacing and alignment.
For sending contributions &suggestions or availing Audio andBraille copies, write to us at:
Action for Ability Development
and Inclusion
2, Balbir Saxena Marg
Hauz Khas, New Delhi-16
Email: aadi@aadi-india.org
Web: www.aadi-india.org

March 2014
According to Census 2011, thepercentage of people withdisabilities living in India is 2.21%of the total population. However,this is a grossly understated figure.
Estimates given in the WorldDisability Report, 2011, publishedby the World Health Organizationand the World Bank, place thisfigure closer to 10%. A realistic
estimate of the number of people
with disabilities in India would be atleast 70 million. Minimally 40
million would be over 18 years.
Are these large numbers ofcitizens with disability able to vote?
What are the barriers that come intheir way?
First and foremost, Article 326 of
the Constitution of India and theRepresentation of People’s Act
1951 disqualifies a person who isof unsound mind and stands so
declared by a competent Court
from registering to vote. The
implication of this is that somecategories of people with disability
may be denied the Right to Vote.
India has ratified the United
Nation’s Convention on Rights ofPeople with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
in 2007. Article 29 of the UNCRPD,
Participation in Political and Public
Life, specifically says that allcitizens with disabilities should be able to exercise their franchise and should
receive the support they need in doing so. It is imperative that in the future
appropriate amendments are carried out so that all citizens with disabilities
can vote, just like every other citizen.
Even for those people with disabilities who do enjoy the right to vote, effective
participation in this important process is often not possible. Is the whole
electoral process designed in a way that it includes persons with disabilities
to actively participate and engage with the vibrant public and political life of
India? Are persons with disabilities able to access pertinent information likemanifestos and agendas of political parties in the pre-election period? Is
access to polling booths adequate? Is the attitude of society (families, friends,
neighbours and other members of the community) conducive to persons withdisabilities participating in the electoral process?
In this issue we bring together the voices of persons with disabilities whowant to generate the all-important discussion on this issue, even more
pertinent in the light of the countdown to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
The newsletter is divided into two sections. While the first section has articles
and interviews by persons with disabilities, the second section focuses onimportant information that may facilitate participation in the process of voting.

“The word democracy literally means “rule by the people.” It is derived
from a Greek word coined from the words demos(“people”) and kratos(“rule”) in the middle of the 5th century BC as a name for the politicalsystem that existed at the time in some of the cities of Greece, notably
Athens. As a form of government, democracy contrasts with monarchy(rule by a king, queen, or emperor), oligarchy (rule by a few persons),
aristocracy (rule by a privileged class), and despotism (absolute rule by asingle person), the modern term for which is dictatorship.
In India, elections are a democratic process where citizens aged 18 andover elect political candidates to represent them and their interests locally,nationally or internationally. The process is determined by a voting
system, where citizens vote for one candidate. The candidate with the
majority of votes is elected.”
Source : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy

2

Failure of Governance and Lost Citizenship
Praveen Kumar. G is a development professional and has
over a decade's experience of working in thedevelopment sector. His areas of specialisation areprogramme management, inclusion and advocacy. He
has engaged with civil society organisations, corporate
and government agencies in enabling them to promote
inclusion and diversity in their working approach to reachout to all marginalised groups, in particular persons withdisabilities. He has facilitated the formation of networks of
persons with disabilities in rural India in the states of Chhattisgarh andOdisha and has been supporting them as an advisor.
Praveen is passionate about development and works for the upliftment of
dalit and tribal communities. He currently heads VSO (Voluntary Services
Organisation) India as the country lead and is working to promote thespirit of volunteerism and active citizenship to support the marginalised
groups. He is a board member of AADI. A Chevening gurukul scholarfrom the London School of Economics and Political Science, Praveen has
contributed many articles on development to magazines and government
agencies. He has travelled widely within and around the world carrying
the message of inclusion.
In India, it is an acknowledged fact and there is an “overwhelming evidence”
that “disabled people are disadvantaged and a marginalized constituency”.
They are often ridiculed and kept behind doors and do not even derive asense of citizenship in this country. They are often looked upon as individuals
suffering with impairments or ailments, those who need support, care andmedical treatment. The story is the same across social classes. Even thedoles given out by governments with respect to social security benefits andvarious concessions are demeaning as they are merely a welfare based
approach and confirm the secondary citizenship prescribed to persons withdisabilities. Adding to this, the government terminology identifying this sectionof the population which is around 7% of the total population is “nishakt” in
Hindi, meaning “powerless” .
3Since the time of independence
this huge section have sufferedostrasization and denial of any
kind of participation indevelopment processes andthere has always been a cry foraccessing even basic essential
services like health, education,
livelihoods, social and cultural
participation. Leaving aside thesocial and cultural exclusion,
disabled people are far away from any kind of civic or political participation,for instance, has there been any thought or action on people with disabilities
voting? How many people with disabilities have voted in the last general or
any other state elections? Is’nt their participation in panchayat meetings
negligible? There is no accurate data on this and many people withdisabilities don’t even have a voter identity card. It is unfortunate that
disability has hardly been considered as a matter of any political campaign oragenda; they are left behind under the guise of physical incapacity and as thedomain of medical and welfare subjects.
Article 29 of the United Nations convention on Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (UNCRPD) calls for Participation in political and public life
wherein the “States Parties shall guarantee to persons with disabilities
political rights and the opportunity to enjoy them on an equal basis withothers, and shall undertake to ensure that persons with disabilities caneffectively and fully participate in political and public life on an equalbasis with others, directly including the right and opportunity for
persons with disabilities to vote and be elected, fully participate in the
conduct of public affairs, without discrimination and on an equal basiswith others”. India has been a signatory to the UNCRPD and there has notbeen any change on the ground in the past 6 years since the Convention was
ratified. Persons with disabilities have no right to vote highlighted by the factthat voting booths are not made accessible despite many public interest
4

litigations filed by a few individuals with disabilities and disability rights groups
both at the national and state level. Ramps were designed for few booths.
However, these failed to give the necessary independence for visually
impaired voters. The voting machines were not accessible thus denying
visually impaired voters their right to secret ballot, in spite of the availability oftechnology. Punched card and optical scan machines are not fully accessible
for the blind or visually impaired, and lever machines can be difficult for
voters with limited mobility and strength.
Some of the prerequisites for ensuring accessibility are:v

Prepare all voting instructions to be accessible to as many voters as
possible, including installation of “accessible machines” like text tovv

speech or screen reading machines.
Work with state and local assistive technology groups or accessible
materials producers to provide voting information, voting instructions,and equipment instructions in formats that can be easily used by people
with disabilities. Look for alternative formats such as large print, audio
tools, graphics, and video interpretations.
Electronic voting machines can be made fully accessible for persons
with disabilities. Electronic machines can use headphones, sip and puff,
foot pedals, joy sticks and other adaptive technology to provide thevv

necessary accessibility.
For those with intellectual disabilities, information processing difficulties,
it is necessary to provide good graphics and easily understood picturesor signages.
Make sure every polling place is accessible and welcoming for people
with mobility issuesv

Provide easily visible signage directing voters to the accessible
entrance to the polling place.

vv

Place signs at any inaccessible entrance and on approaches tobuilding, as well as near accessible entrances and wherever there isaccessible parking. Use large print and the accessibility symbol.
If there are doors with obstacles, place a means for obtaining
assistance and signs in locations that can be reached by wheelchairs

5v

and people using crutches. Alternatively, position a poll worker at thedoor to assist voters.
Make sure access routes are not blocked by trash cans, bicycle
parking, etc.

v

Make sure poll workers are sensitized enough to interact with voterswith disabilities or other access problemsv

Provide basic disability etiquettes training to all government officials.

v

Make sure everyone knows the rules about who can assist a voter inthe poll and post those rules where they can be easily seen (using large
print, high contrast, eye-level placements, pictures, Braille signages,
audio beepers etc.)
The polling booths should be on the ground floor with ramps for entryv

and exit of people with physical disabilities.
It is appalling to note that even after six decades of India’s
independence, citizens with disabilities are fighting for citizenship andthe right to civil and political participation. Unless we reassert
ourselves as an identity group and seek citizenship rights, ourconcerns will remain unaddressed, voices unheard and needs unmet inthis country. A country where the governance has failed as people withdisabilities are excluded in all development, social, cultural, civil and politicalprocesses. Even in countries like El Salvador, Ghana, and Sierra Leone,
there are inclusive polling booths. If less developed countries in Africa, Latin
America and Southeast Asia, like Philippines can be inclusive, it is beyond
imagination why India can’t have inclusive systems, especially as we boast of
having advanced technology and innovations. The duty bearers should
become more accountable towards people with disabilities and ensure theirfull and equal participation in all civil and political rights.

6

Let’s Not Be Deterred ... Let’s Vote !
Shivani Gupta, Founder AccessAbility is a pioneer inpromoting physical accessibility for all in India. She holds
a Diploma in Architecture Technology and MSc in
Inclusive Environments from the University of Reading,UK.
Shivani is the author of ‘No Looking Back – a True Story’.
She is a recipient of several prestigious awards such as
the National Award, Neerja Bhanot Award just naming a
few for her work.
What have been your personal experiences while trying to cast yourvote in the elections?
I have cast my vote only twice. I cast my vote in 2009 general elections forthe first time. There had been a lot of hype about voting booths becoming
accessible for persons with disabilities based on the Supreme Court ruling.
The polling station (a neighbourhood school) was situated very close to myhouse and I was able to reach there using my motorized wheelchair.
However, to my disappointment, I found that the main gate of the polling
station was closed. The side gate was open but it had a baton at the bottomof the gate. Obviously, I could not enter. I waited as my friends asked thecops present at the station for help. The cops tried to look for the ‘maali’ who
supposedly had the keys of the main gate. To add to the disappointment, the‘maali’ was on leave and nobody else had any clue about the keys. Some
cops volunteered to lift my wheelchair over the baton but that was an
impossible as my wheelchair is very heavy.
Eventually, somebody guided me through another route to get inside thestation. This route was also not completely accessible as it had some steps.
Also, there was no proper ramp to reach the booth as some mud had been
put to create a temporary one.
During the same elections, a friend with visual impairment had shared that
his mother had to accompany him inside the booth. As a result, there was nosecrecy in his ballot.
7Inaccessible Polling booth
I wrote to the Election Commissioner about such experiences and alsosuggested ways in which people with severe disabilities could cast their vote
like a postal ballot system .The Commissioner did write back with a lot ofpromises but they never got followed up.
Do you think it is important for many persons with disabilities to start
contesting elections? If so, what would be some of the supports andreasonable accommodations required to help them contest elections?
According to article 29 of the UNCRPD, people with disabilities have theequal right to participate in political and public life and with India having
ratified the Convention, has to work towards realization of this right. It is the
responsibility of the government to make not only the voting systemaccessible to all persons with disabilities but also to provide thesupport and reasonable accommodation required by persons withdisabilities to stand for elections. Further to encourage participation of8persons with disabilities in political arenas, the government must havereservations for candidates with disabilities to ensure that their concerns andvoices are heard.. Therefore, people with disabilities must fight elections.
Accommodations like sign language interpretation ,access to information andcommunications, physical accessibility must be ensured to facilitate
participation of candidates with disabilities. Candidates with intellectual
impairment need to be supported legally for decision making.
What about institutions like the parliament and legislative assemblies?
Would they be able to meet the requirements of any persons withdisabilities?
I don’t think presently these institutions meet the requirements to enable fulland equal participation of persons with disabilities & are accessible in thetrue sense. Some ramps may have been provided but the overall system is
not sensitive to meeting requirements of any members with disabilities.
Without having provisions such as all information including internal
party documents, party websites, public manifestos etc available inalternate and accessible formats or having the availability of sign
language interpreters etc., people with disabilities are never going to
get engaged within the political arena. Providing reasonableaccommodation along with accessibility must be mandatory as a beginning atleast, to participate in the legislative or parliamentary assemblies. Its only
then that the candidates with disabilities would be encouraged to contest. If
communication and information are not presented in accessible formats, theprocesses become insignificant for members with disabilities. Memos andbills need to have Braille and audio versions. Sign language interpretation
during meetings and sessions are a must.
What should the Election Commission do to ensure that persons withdisabilities are able to exercise their franchise in the upcoming
elections?
Of course they need to continue to make the polling booths accessible. Butthat is just a beginning. Apart from accessibility of the polling booths theyneed to ensure accessibility even prior to the elections. Some thoughts that9

arise for areas of action by the Election Commission to make the election
process more accessible may include:v
Public speeches and press conferences need to be accessible to all
persons with disabilities.
v
Discussions related to elections on news channels need to becaptioned.
v

Manifestos available in alternate formats including Braille, e-text, must
be written and presented in easy to read formats etc. so that all peoplevvv

with disabilities are able to access them.
Easy to understand format for the benefit of persons with intellectual
impairment. They need to ensure that secrecy of ballot is maintained forvoters with disabilities.
Training of electoral booth staff so that they can interact effectively withpersons with disabilities is absolutely vital.
They need to put a system in place to facilitate persons with severe
disabilities to cast their vote as they may not be able to visit the pollingbooth.

v

There needs to be awareness raising about persons with disabilities
being able to access voter id cards.

What should persons with disabilities do to ensure that they are seen
as a powerful vote bank?
Persons with disabilities must vote. They must come out of their homes
and start exercising their rights so that they get noticed. They must
been seen everywhere and be part of mainstream. They would then beable to draw attention to and raise awareness about inaccessibility inservices. They must voice opinions on every matter and could do write ups innewspapers as well.
How would you like to encourage first time voters especially voters withdisabilities?
First and foremost, everyone must vote. It is very basic to being a citizen. I
did not go to vote for so many years and I regret it and am not proud of it. We

10can fight for our rights only if we have voted and demonstrated
ourselves to be citizens. have the right to demand our rights only when
we vote. We must be visible to be able to change and improve various
systems including the system of elections.
Are there any other thoughts you would like to share with us?
I would really hope that disabled people’s organizations take a moreproactive role in ensuring equal participation of persons with disabilities inpolitical life. They must advocate on issues relating to promotion ofaccessibility of the political system where only ramps at polling stations andBraille ballot paper are not enough. They must advocate on issues pertaining
to rights of all persons with disabilities to be able to cast their vote or standfor elections without discrimination. They may also engage in awarenessraising programmes for persons with disabilities on their right to vote,facilitate persons with disabilities to vote and contest elections. They must
influence the media to have campaigns about voting rights of persons withdisabilities. They must influence the Election Commission by saying thathaving ramps and Braille ballots do not ensure adequate accessibility. Most
importantly, elections are close and they must support people associated with
their organizations to exercise their right to vote.

Historically, other groups of people have also been excluded from voting.
For instance, the democracy of ancient Athens did not allow women,
foreigners, or slaves to vote. Much of the history of elections involves theeffort to promote suffrage for excluded groups. The women's suffrage
movement gave women in many countries the right to vote. Extending
voting rights to excluded groups (such as convicted felons, members ofcertain minorities, the socially and economically disadvantaged, persons
with disabilities) continues to be a goal of voting rights advocates.
Source : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Election

11

Are political rights of Persons With Disabilities real?
Pramod Sharma, is a graduate from Delhi. He did his
schooling from AADI and Hansraj Model School. He does
online trading of shares. He has a variety of interests
ranging from politics, sports to ‘creative writing.’
As a citizen, even ‘persons with disabilities,’ are entitled to
all civil and political rights, including the right to vote but thequestion is-are they enforceable? Lack of accessible infrastructure, comes asa big hurdle in their effective enforcement. Generally, it has been observedthat ‘persons with disabilities,’ cannot access the polling booth,independently. Even if they do, their voting may not be impartial as they may
feel obliged to follow the wishes of the persons, who help them in reaching
the booth or casting their vote. Similarly, we all have the right to assemble
and demonstrate, form political organizations, but is there enough supportive
infrastructure, which can allow persons with disabilities to do that?
So, should we let go of our legitimate rights? Definitely not! But weshould try and make joint efforts to demand our rights. To raise anissue effectively, the support of like minded persons is a must. This is aproven fact as disability issues have hardly been taken up by thepolitical parties and their manifestos. This is unfortunate as issues of othermarginalized groups do get much highlighted. According to me, persons withdisabilities lack good leadership which can effectively put forth their demands.
I think, pre-election period is the best time to bring up important issues
related to disability. This is because every political party is attempting toproject an image of being sensitive to various social causes. They would not
be able to turn down genuine demands as that may affect their chances of
winning. However, demands need to be continuously voiced. For thispurpose, persons with disabilities and all the concerned NGOs should cometogether, plan, strategize and support each other in taking such a movement
forward. This will surely lead to real empowerment of persons withdisabilities.

12

SOME IDEAS FOR AN ACCESSIBLE POLLING BOOTH
Signage

Human
SupportHandrails
Ramp

Guiding
StripsSOME IDEAS FOR AN ACCESSIBLE VOTING MACHINE

Sip and Puff technology used by voterswith limited hand functionin Texas

Source :www.globalaccessibilitynews.com

Resembling an electronic reading device, theeSlate machines from Texas facilitates voterssuch as people with sight, hands and motor
disabilities to make their election day choiceson their own and in private. Headphones andvoice commands can help, there are special
buttons for those who cannot use their hands
easily and the device also lends itself to thesip and puff device for people who can’t use
their hands at all.

13

We have the Right to Vote... Right to Choose !
Alok Sikka is a member of AADI’s governing body. He
has a PG Diploma in journalism and is working as afreelance writer. Some of his articles have also been
published. He did his graduation in Commerce. He has
a blog and likes to write on Disability, Spirituality and
Bollywood.

Here is a person, who has full faith in democracy but still doesn’t cast his
vote. “For casting the vote, I have to be carried in an ambulance, which costs
around Rs 1200”, he says. The reason being he is a person with disability.
Mr. Rajinder Johar, has paralysis. His is not an isolated case as millions of
persons with disabilities like him do not cast their vote because of the effort
they need to put in to avail this fundamental right.
Rajinder Johar, may be an exception, who need special facilities and trained
people to carry him to the polling booth because of his severe disability. But
this doesn’t mean enough facilities are available at the polling booth toencourage persons with disabilities to cast their vote. As a visually disabled
person Preeti Monga puts it, “I have to be assisted to cast my vote. This
prevents my vote from being a secret.” Others who use wheelchairs, find it
tough when the doors of the booth are small and prove to be a barrier for freemovement.
In spite of all these obstacles, most persons with disabilities want to exercise
their democratic rights. Various options and alternative methods need to be
figured out if persons with disabilities are to be helped in availing this rightgiven by the constitution. To begin with, as Mr. Rajinder Johar puts it, “Ifnothing can be done at all and the authorities cannot help me in any way,
give us the facility of proxy vote. In this way, we will at least be able tochoose a candidate of our choice.”
But many persons with disabilities feel that a proxy vote can be a part of theprocess but not a final solution. Whereas it allows you to choose yourrepresentative, it has many limitations. On one hand it totally destroys thesecrecy of the vote and on the other it leaves you at the mercy of others and14

does not give you the option to cross check whether the vote has been castas per your instructions.
Persons with disabilities are keen that the government and the Election
Commission explore options to help them cast their vote in an easy way.
Some persons with disabilities think that the facility of postal ballot, which has
been given to some other sections of the society such as the personnel fromthe armed forces, should also be extended to them. Many persons withdisabilities also look forward to the day when other facilities like, mobile
polling booths and casting of vote through internet are provided to them. As
Anjali Arora, a lawyer with visual disability demands, “In cities like Delhi, votecould be cast through telephone.”
What is heartening to see in this issue is that for the past some time, theDisability Commission and groups working in the sector have intervened in
the matter and brought about some change. One of the major changes is theconstruction of ramps at polling stations, so that persons using wheelchairs
can exercise their voting right. Officials on election duty in the polling booths
are now being issued guidelines to ensure that all persons with disabilities
can cast their vote with dignity. The Disability Commission is also said to be
in talks with the Election Commission to ensure that a new rule is passed,
which gives the severely disabled persons, such as those with Cerebral
Palsy the right to use postal ballot.
But a lot more needs to be done. Officials should be trained to assist
persons with disabilities. There should be facilities of sign language
interpretation for persons with hearing impairment and embossing ofsymbols for persons with visual impairment.
In short, all attempts need to be made to enable persons with disabilities tocast their vote so that they can become a part of the process and choose
people, who care for them as their representatives.

15

How to get Voter ID Card ?
You must have a voter card to cast vote in India. An Indian citizen, who has
been residing in the country and has attained 18 years, can be eligible to geta voter card. Remember however, that getting your name listed in the voter’slist is also a must. But, this enrollment would not be enough. When you
exercise your franchise, you must have voter’s card as well
Apart from voting rights, a voter ID card would allow a voter to book e-tickets
for railways, reserve a hotel room and avail other services offered by thegovernment to citizens of India only. Voters ID serve as a photo card that canbe a proof of age, identity and place of residence.
Applying for Voter ID Card online:v

Visit the SEC (State Election Commission) website, which should, say
for Delhi, be http://ceodelhi.gov.in/OnlineErms/login.aspx.

v

Sign up if you are a new user. A new login and password would be
generated.

v

Access the website again with the new login and password. An eregistration menu item page is displayed.

v

Click on the link that specifies new voter. Form 6 will be displayed.

v

Download form 6v

Fill in the form specifying each detail correctly. Specify your assembly
constituency in the form, for instance. If you do not know yourconstituency, select the required link to know the same.

v

Upload a passport size photograph in the correct slot.

v

The form must be submitted with valid credentials, such as a proof ofresidence, identity proof and age proof

16

v

Upload documents in the slot asked. If you have soft copies of the
documents, it should be simple. If not, you need to submit yourcredentials to the nearest Booth Level; Officer(BLO) in Delhi.

v

Click the submit button once you have completely filled the form.

Alternatively, visit Voter Registration and Epic. Centre (VREC) to get
voter card
Many applicants submit the form as well as the documents online. However,in case you are not able to upload documents online, you can send it by post
to the Voters’ Registration and EPIC centre (VREC) of your constituency.
So apply online, visit VREC or submit the form to your nearest BLO to
get you Voter ID
Source : eci.nic.in/eci_main1/indexaspx

Voting is the best way to get one's opinions heard, as it allows one to selectthe candidate who best represents their view or views. In this way, the voters'
future is decided by the decisions they make when voting. Voting also helps
democracy to prevail and if people didn't vote they would be ruled bysomeone who wouldn't necessarily represent them or have the country's
interests at heart.

17Symbols of Political Parties
Political parties are often recognized by their Symbols and Abbreviations.
In a country where one is seeing a proliferation of regional parties alongwith the long existing national ones, our minds may feel a bit confused.
Are we familiar with all the symbols and abbreviations ?Do we need arevision? Let’s have quick look…
Names of National parties, States and Other Political parties in India
have been arranged in Alphabetical order
National Parties

Bahujan Samaj Party
BSP

Communist Party of India(Marxist)
CPM

Bharatiya Janata Party
BJP

Communist Party of India
CPI

Indian National Congress
INC

Nationalist Congress Party
NCP

Other Political Parties in India
Andhra Pradesh

Telugu Desam Party
TDP

Telangana Rashtra Samithi
TRS

18

Arunachal Pradesh

All India Trinamool Congress
AITMC

People’s Party of Arunachal
PPA

Rashrtrya Janata Dal
RJD

Assam

Indian National Democratic Front
INDF

Bodoland People's Front
BPF

Asom Gana Parishad
AGP

Bihar

Janata Dal (United)
JDU

Lok Janshakti Party
LJP

Rashrtrya Janata Dal
RJD

NCT (Delhi)

Goa

Aam Aadmi Party
AAP

Maharashtrawadi Gomantak
MG

19

Haryana

Indian National Lok Dal
INLD

Haryana Janhit Congress
HJC

Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir People's
Democratic Party
JKPDP

Jammu & Kashmir National
Panthers Party
JKNPPJammu & Kashmir
National Conference
JKNC

Jharkhand

AJSU Party (Jharkhand)

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha
JMM

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha(Prajatantrik)
JVMP

Karnataka

Symbol yet tobe allotted
Janta Dal (Secular)
JD(S)Karnataka Jantha Paksha
KJP

20

KeralaJanta Dal (Secular)
JD(S)Kerala Congress (M)KCM

Muslim League Kerala State Committee
MLKSC

Maharashtra

Shiv SenaSS

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
MNS

ManipurAll India Trinamool Congress
AITMC

Manipur State Congress Party
MSCP

Symbol could
not be accessed
People’s Democratic Alliance
PDA

21

Naga Peoples Front
NPFMeghalaya

United Democratic Party
UDP

National People’s Party
NPP

Hill State People’s Cemocratic Party
HSPCP

MizoramMizo National Front
MNF

Mizoram People's Conference
MPC

NagalandNaga Peoples Front
NPF

OdishaBiju Janta Dal
BJD

22

Zoram Nationalist Party
ZNP

Puducherry

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam – AIADMKAll India N.R. Congress
AINRC

Pattali Makkal Katchi
PMK

Punjab

Shiromani Akali Dal

SikkimSikkim Democratic Front

23

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
DMKTamil Nadu

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam – AIADMK

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
DMK

Desiya Murpokku Dravida
Kazhagam - DMDKUttar Pradesh

RashtriyaLok Dal
RLD

Samajwadi Party
SP

West Bengal

All India Forward Bloc

All India Trinamool Congress
Revolutionary Socialist Party
AITMC, TMC

Updated list of political parties sourced fromwww.eci.nic.in/eci_main1/index.aspx
as on 13-3-201424

Manifestos ... Let’s have a Say !
What is an Election Manifesto?
The pamphlet or the booklet issued by a political party that tells people about
its programmes and policies, is known as the election manifesto of thatpolitical party. It is issued by all the political parties who are fighting forelections.
An election manifesto has the following uses:(I)

The election manifestos issued by various political parties at the time ofelections enable the voters to know about the policies and programmes

(ii)

(iii)

of the parties who are fighting the elections. After studying thosemanifestos, the voters can vote for the party (candidate) of their choice.
The manifesto of the ruling party tells the people about its achievements
during the last tenure. Similarly, the manifestos of the opposition parties
point out the failures of the government and mobilize public opinion
against them.
After the elections, the party which is able to get majority in the
Parliament forms the government. The people can exert their pressure
on the party in power to fulfill the various promises made to the people
in its election manifesto. They are pressed to implement the policy andprogrammes issued in their election manifestos.

Did you know ?
Ÿ Elections were used as early in history as ancient Greece

and ancient Rome, and throughout the Medieval period toselect rulers such as the Holy Roman Emperor and thePope.
Ÿ In medieval India, around 920 AD, in Tamil Nadu, palm
leaves were used for village assembly elections. The
leaves, with candidate names written on them, were put
inside a mud pot for counting. This was known as theKudavolai system.
Ÿ The Pala king Gopala in early medieval Bengal was also elected.
Ÿ Elections were carried out to select rajas by the gana during the Vedic Period.
Ÿ Ancient Arabs also used election to choose their caliph, Uthman and Ali, in the early

medieval Rashidun Caliphate.

Source : wikipedia.org/wiki/Election25Generally, manifestos are released two or three months before the actual dayof the elections. However, the Election Commission might soon issue new
directives in this regard. At the time of going to print the political parties were
yet to come out with their manifestos for Lok Sabha Elections 2014. We bringyou excepts from the manifestos of political parties for Lok Sabha Elections
2009, as taken from the Official websites of the respective Parties.
Indian National Congress
Inclusion of disability
The Indian National Congress will ensure a comprehensive cover of social
security to all persons who are at special risk including (i) single-woman
headed households; (ii) disabled and the elderly; (iii) urban homeless; (iv)released bonded workers; (v) members of primitive tribal groups; and (vi)members of designated “most backward” dalit communities.
The Indian National Congress is deeply committed to ensuring equality ofopportunity and full participation of persons with disabilities, including theblind, in all sectors of life. To begin with, a comprehensive review of laws andprogrammes will be undertaken and the shortcomings noticed in theirimplementation will be removed.
Source : http://www.indianelection.com/partymanifestoes/congress.html
Bharatiya Janata Party
Care of the Disabled Integrating the Differently Abled
Disabled people constitute five per cent of India’s population. Years ofneglect has delayed their integration into the social mainstream. Their
welfare and rehabilitation is integral to NDA’s vision of a caring society and a
responsive government.
The BJP will:
1.
Ensure and implement the right for education and vocational training
for the disabled.
2.
Ensure disabled-friendly access to public utilities, public buildings, andtransport.

26

3.

Ensure maximum economic independence of the disabled by creating
more income generation models for the disabled.

4.
5.
6.

Facilitate establishment of an Institute of Vocational Training for the
Disabled in every district with public-private partnership.
Provide special incentive for the adoption of a disabled child.
Support voluntary organizations working for the care of the disabled.

Source: http://www.bjp.org/images/pdf/election_manifesto_english.pdf
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Disability Section of Manifesto for the 15th Lok Sabha Elections, 2009
Differently Abled People•

Strengthening of the Persons with Disabilities Act•

Properly implementing reservations provided for persons withdisabilities in public sector employment, poverty alleviation,
programmes and education
All buildings, public places, transport, information and other avenues tobe fully accessible and barrier free to people with disabilities••

Ensuring free provision of aids and equipments for differently abled

people by the Government
Source : www.election.com/partymanifestoes/cpim.html
Communist Party of India
Rights of People with Special Needs•

Implement the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 effectively giving
adequate opportunities to build their capacities and also makes schools
and other premises accessible to all.

•

There is an emerging need to combat HIV/AIDS/STD etc. and ensure
medical care, human treatment and security to the victims

Source : www.communistparty.in
What to look for in a manifesto…
Political parties will shortly come out with their Manifestos for upcoming Lok
Sabha elections. Here are some possible questions that you could keep in27

mind while analyzing the manifesto:•

Does the manifesto clearly convey that persons with disabilities havebeen consulted as to what concerns they would want to be addressed?

•

Does the manifesto address issues of accessibility such as creating
accessibility to information, to the built environment, to transport, toroads and other indoor and outdoor facilities, including schools,••

housing, medical facilities and workplaces?
Are different disabilities such as hearing impairment, visual impairment,
physical impairment, intellectual disability, mental illness, autism andhealth related conditions such as thalassemia and hemophilia are being
considered rather than focusing on only some impairments?
Does it address the needs of people with disabilities in both urban andrural areas?

••

Does it focus on needs across lifespan and across domains such as
Health, Shelter, Education, Livelihood, Relationships, Independent
Living, Recreation & Leisure and Identity?
Is there a clear and detailed plan of action to overcome existing barriers
for persons with disabilities? For example, apart from an emphasis on
physical accessibility of public buildings, is there a thought also given to
training or sensitization of human resources at these places that will
ensure effective support for with persons with disabilities? Is awarenessraising being looked at actively? Is the need for caregivers addressed?

•••

How does it address the issue of maltreatment, neglect and abuse?
Is there a specific focus on the needs of women and children withdisabilities?
How is reasonable accommodation addressed? Is there a movetowards universal design?
- Editorial team28

How to Choose the Right Candidate
So now the all important question-how do you choose the right candidate? Orfor that matter the right political party? Well, noboby has straightforward
answers to this but here are a few tips to help you make your choice.
•
Make a list of things that are important to you-values, things that you
think a candidate or party should have.
•

Motivate these choices-why are these things on your list? How
important are they to you? Mark the most important ones but keep the•••others as well.
Look for a candidate or party you relate to: Listen to speeches, visit
their websites, find out about their opinions and even more importantwhat motivates them.
Check their history, find out if they are telling the truth and if they arewilling to do what they are promising you.
Discuss your thoughts with your friends and people you respect
especially the ones whose opinions matter to you.

•

Make a final pick. Take your first pick, the election programme of yourchosen candidate or party and any important information you stumbled
upon. Compare them and decide if this candidate or party is really the•one you want to be represented by.
Definitely cast your Vote. By following some of these tips and being true
to yourself, you can be sure you’ve done your best to choose the rightcandidate or party that’s most suitable to represent you. So vote!

Acknowledgment : www.wikihow.com/vote for the right candidate in anelection29

Process of Voting
As soon as you enter the polling station, youwill meet the first polling officer. This officer
is in charge of the marked copy of theelectoral roll and identifies all electors. You
should keep your identity document readyto show to the polling officer. The first
polling officer will then call out your nameand serial number.
You will now proceed to the second polling
officer who will mark your left forefinger
with the indelible ink. He will record yourserial number in the electoral roll in theRegister of Voters.

Once this is recorded, you are to sign in theappropriate column in the Register ofVoters. If a voter cannot sign, his/her
thumb impression will be obtained.

The second polling officer will then give
you a signed voter’s slip.

30You will then proceed to the Third Polling
Officer who will take the voter’s slip issued
to you. The third polling officer will press
the “Ballot” button on the control unit ofvoting compartment where you will record
your vote on the balloting unit of the voting
machine.
Inside the voting compartment, you are topress the blue candidate button on the
Balloting unit against the name and symbol of
the candidate of your choice. You may press
None of the above (NOTA) last button ofElectronic Voting Machine, if your so desire.
Press the button only once.
On the candidate button being pressed, thered lamp will glow against the name andsymbol of that candidate.

There will also be a beep sound heard toindicate that your vote has been recorded
and the busy lamp goes off in the control
unit.

Sources : eci.nic.in/eci_main1/index.aspx
Office the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi

31

EDITORIAL TEAM :Deepak Jain
Manuja Mishra
Nidhi Jalan
Shahana Chakraborty

TRANSLATIONS :Pramod Sharma
Alka SinghDESIGN
Rajat Nayak

ILLUSTRATIONSMalay Chakraborti

Action for Ability Development and Inclusion
Formerly The Spastics Society of Northern India