Handicapped-friendly polling stations in Canacona
TEAM HERALD
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CANACONA: Fortysix out of 51 polling stations in Canacona taluka are handicapped-friendly, with arrangements to be in place in the remaining five by polling day.
Based on Election Commission directive, a massive drive was undertaken during the last Assembly elections to provide ramps to polling stations, so as to make it handicap voter-friendly, with many of them being operational only during parliamentary elections.
Canacona Returning Officer and Deputy Collector Shiv Kumar said there are about 22 blind and 39 physically handicapped voters, spread over 51 polling stations in Canacona constituency.
Forty-six polling stations, most of which are housed in government school buildings are constructed with ramps to enable easy access to physically challenged voters.
“We are making every effort to construct handicapped friendly ramps in the remaining three polling stations at Tansi (Loliem), Kudaiwaddo (Gaondongrim) and Upper Battsorem (Cotgiao), but due to height and location of polling buildings at Mahalwada and Galliem (both in Poinguinim) some temporary arrangements will be in place on polling day, as construction of ramps is technically not feasible,” said Shiv Kumar.
“No wheel chairs will be provided, but escorts to assist handicapped and blind voters will be in attendance at the respective polling stations,” he said.
Meanwhile, a special training was held for the blind voters of Canacona on Thursday at Deputy Collector’s office Chaudi in which eight blind voters participated.
“We had sent transportation, but only eight blind voters participated. If time permits, we may hold another round of training to blind voters, providing them training, as to how to vote on the EVMs which have ‘Braille’ facility to enable blind electorate to vote,” he added.
