DIMAPUR — The State Election Commission (SEC) has, under Rule 57 of the Nagaland Municipal Council Election Rules 2023, urged all the returning officers (RO) of poll-bound municipal and town council elections to take necessary action on special priority in providing accessibility to person with disabilities on the polling day.
In a letter to the returning officer of all poll-bound municipalities and town councils, the SEC has issued instructions to facilitate voting by electors with disabilities on the poll day.
For the blind and infirm electors, the SEC urged the presiding officer to permit the elector to take with him/ her a companion of not less than 18 years of age to the voting compartment for recording vote on the ballot paper on his/ her behalf and in accordance with his/ her wishes, and if necessary, for folding the ballot paper so as to conceal the vote and inserting it into the ballot box. It stated that other provisions as contained in the Rule should also be taken into consideration for necessary action.
For electors who are persons with disabilities, senior electors of 75 years of age and above, it stated that the assistance of the persons, as mentioned in para 6 of the Commission’s letter dated June 24, should be taken to facilitate their movement and entry into the polling station.
It added that the admission of elector (persons) with disabilities, senior electors, women electors with babies into the polling station should be given preference and precedence over other voters in the queue.
Besides, SEC urged the returning officers to allow electors on wheelchair to use ramp facilities in the polling station, wherever available and applicable, for their movement.
SEC also urged the returning officers to tie up with the concerned officers of the Social Welfare department for temporary provisioning of wheelchairs for electors who might need such facility at the polling station.
It further urged the returning officers to sensitise polling personnel and security personnel on the need to show special empathy and care toward the voters with disabilities and other electors.
