General News
Disability and elections
For persons with disability, this yearโs general elections is a significant one. In 2004, just after the previous elections, the nationโs highest judicial authority has given a judgement directing the Election Commission to ensure all polling stations are accessible to persons with disability.
The judgement provides a strong platform for persons with disability to organise themselves and participate in elections 2009. Activists say this is vital, given that issues concerning disabled persons are often ignored and the community at large could not make an impact without exercising their power to have a say in the forthcoming elections.
Figures from the 11th Five Year Plan suggest that India has roughly five to six per cent of persons with disability amongst its total population. Yet, several of the policies and welfare measures announced by the government barely refer to them. The recent state government budget is a good example, as it makes virtually no reference to disability.
In 2003, Bangalore city authorities brought out their (revised) building bylaws which again had no mention of accessibility features; reminders that it would be difficult for persons with disability to influence policies without presenting themselves as a reliable segment amongst the voters.
And the signs for organising themselves at the election year looks brighter. The election commissioner of Andhra Pradesh recently announced that steps will be taken in the state to make polling booths accessible for persons with disability and there were also reports that accessible EVMs (electronic voting machines) for easy use of visually challenged voters will be in place for this elections. Yet, activists point out that awareness amongst political parties and electoral authorities at the grassroots level remains abysmally low.
Ever since India conducted the mammoth exercise of general elections for the first time in 1952, the machinery seems to have faltered in two aspects. Despite the constitutional guarantee that all Indian citizens are eligible to vote, no clear attempts were made to make voting accessible for persons with disability. Nor were there any concerted efforts by political parties to woo disabled voters.
Candidates and political parties can take a leaf out of Barack Obamaโs election campaign in the US, which had included issues affecting persons with disability and had won wider appreciation from the community across the globe.
First step
In Thiruvallur, a small district outside Chennai, persons of disability are persuading their MLA to help them set up a resource centre in their constituency, promising the support of about 900 disabled voters. The activists from the constituency say that they are close to getting an undertaking from him to that effect. And activists know well that replicating attempts like this across the country is bound to raise the stakes of persons with disability, since the fate of candidates are decided on smaller margins in certain constituencies.
Voting is perhaps the most effective way persons with disability can contribute to the democratic process and they need support from electoral authorities. A recent statement by the Chief Election Commissioner mentioned that helicopters would be used, if necessary, to bring voters from remote areas to cast their ballots. He also said booths will be set up even if it would mean only one voter would vote in a locality.
Facilitating participation of persons with disability in the electoral process would cost nothing; nor is it likely to be a logistical nightmare. But it is certain to give them the right to have their say in policies.
Additional Information
Country: India
Website: http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar142009/panorama20090313123861.asp
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When: 16/3/2009
