50 booths not differently-abled friendly, finds stud

The members from different associations met the Returning Officer of RK Nagar bypoll Praveen P Nair on Saturday. They demanded that the polling officers, deputed at the booths, should ensure mechanisms for helping differently-abled people to exercise their franchise without any hardships. 

The members, who had conducted a study of the available facilities at various booths, said most of the schools which would be converted into polling stations did not have even drinking water facilities. The study stated that only a few booths have all the necessary facilities. Many polling stations were completely inaccessible for the differently-abled. 

“Even floors in considerable number of polling stations are slippery, while some have steep ramps, damaged surfaces and congested parking,” the study added. The study further said, “Many polling stations lack proper entrance and has narrow gates. In some booths, the grounds are full of sand and the differently-abled persons may find it difficult to move their wheel-chairs.” 

Smitha Sadasivam, an activist of Disability Right Alliance (DRA) said, “We met Praveen Nair, Returning Officer of RK Nagar constituency. The RO has assured us that special awareness programmes will be conducted for the election duty officers and they will be instructed on how to help the differently abled persons during the polling process in the training.” 

N Vinoth, sign language interpreter of Presidency College, who was part of the study said, “We have met a couple of polling officers and submitted our study details. The officials, have assured that they will carry out the works mentioned in the reports. They ensured that the works will be completed before March.” 

The activist added that they would again conduct a survey to check whether their demands were met. The members on Saturday also met Jayraman, Superintending Engineer (Zone-V) and in-charge of civil works for polling booths in RK Nagar constituency.