Lok Sabha Question No. 711 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-26
Subject: Facilities to Differently-Abled Persons in Election Process
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Sudheer Gupta, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 711

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 26 TH  JUNE, 2019

## FACILITIES TO DIFFERENTLY-ABLED PERSONS IN ELECTION PROCESS

## 711.     SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

## SHRI GAJANANKIRTIKAR

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the participation of differently-abled persons in election process is very low;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for the same;
- (c)  whether  any  facilities  which  are  essential  for  the  differently-abled  persons are made available during elections and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for maximum participation of persons with disabilities in the election process?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) and (b): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

(c) and (d): The Election Commission has informed that:-

1. The polling stations are set up in such a manner that ordinarily no voter is required to travel more than 2 kilometer for casting vote.
2. On day of poll there is no bar on public transport carriage like buses playing between fixed terminals.
3. Private  vehicles  used  by  the  sick  or  disabled  persons,  for  their  own  uses  are allowed.
4. A companion to accompany a blind/infirm elector to assist him/her to cast the vote is also provided.
5. For  senior  citizens/elderly  electors  the  Commission  has  instructed  that  there will be separate queue at the polling stations, so that they need not wait for too long to cast their franchise and face inconvenience.

The Commission has also issued the following instructions to ensure that all physically  handicapped  voters  are  able  to  exercise  their  franchise  with  least inconvenience:-

- (i) The personnel at the polling  station  must  ensure  that  differently  abled electors  are  given  priority  for  entering  the  pooling  stations,  without having wait in the queue for other electors and all necessary assistance as may be required should be provided to them at the polling station.
- (ii) Full  facility  should  be  provided  for  such  electors  to  take  their  wheelchairs inside the polling station. In the polling stations where permanent ramps have not been provided, temporary ramps should be provided for the purpose.
- (iii) The polling personnel should be specifically briefed about the provisions  of  Rule  49N  of  the  Conduct  of  Election  Rules,  1961  and Jammu and Kashmir Conduct of Election Rules, 1965 which provide for permitting  a  companion  to  accompany  a  blind/infirm  elector  to  assist him/her to cast the vote, if he/she so wishes.
- (iv) At  the  training  classes  for  the  polling  personnel,  they  should  be sensitized  about  the  special  needs  of  the  differently-abled  electors,  for courteous behaviour towards them and for providing necessary support to them at the polling stations.
- (v) Electors with speech and hearing impairment should also be given care as in the case of other differently-abled person.

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