PwD voters seek better accessibility during polling process

At each polling location, volunteers are deployed to assist voters with disabilities and senior citizens. (File photo)

Despite repeated commitments for inclusive elections, persons with disabilities (PwDs) continue to face multiple challenges while exercising their right to vote. While the Election Commission has issued guidelines to ensure accessibility at polling stations, ground-level implementation across the city remains uneven, raising concerns among disable voters.

“My last voting experience was physically exhausting for me. The absence of usable ramps, narrow entrances, and inaccessible facilities at polling booths made a basic democratic right feel like a struggle. Simple arrangements like accessible toilets or resting spaces were missing, turning what should be an empowering experience into a difficult one for persons with disabilities,” said Rutuja kharkar, a PwD voter.

Another voter, Gaurav Malak from Vishrantwadi said, “Accessibility should not be treated as a favour, it is a constitutional right. Authorities must ensure proper planning, staff training, and monitoring at every polling station.”

“Ensuring that persons with disabilities and senior citizens can exercise their right to vote is primarily the responsibility of us. It is our role to support the election process by providing accessible facilities such as dedicated vehicles, wheelchairs, and trained volunteers at polling booths. For voters who are bedridden or unable to travel, officials visit their homes to facilitate voting, as no citizen can be denied this constitutional right. At each polling location, volunteers are deployed to assist voters with disabilities and senior citizens so that they face minimal difficulty during the election process,” said Mamata Shinde, a deputy commissioner of the Social Development Department Pimpri Chinchwad.

“Across 420 polling spots, we have made arrangements by keeping around 1,200 to 1,300 volunteers on payroll to assist persons with disabilities and senior citizens during the election process. If any senior and PwD voter faces some issue, they can directly contact the department through the Divyang Kaksha, which has been set up to resolve problems faced by PwDs.”