Lack of assistance: Senior citizens, disabled voters irked

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 4

Senior citizens and physically disabled voters were a hassled lot as there was no separate queue for them at several booths during polling. Despite the administrations’ claims and guidelines issued by the EC to make polls accessible for PWD (Persons with disabilities) voters, by ensuring Assured Minimum Facility, which includes providing wheelchairs and building ramps for accessibility, the polling booths in the city were found lacking these facilities.

“I had to wait for my turn in queue among other voters and there were no wheelchairs, but only chairs for voters to sit and wait for their turn,” said Harpreet Kaur, a voter from Cherherta. Similarly, senior voters, who had trouble in walking, had to be assisted by either their family members or fellow voters, due to lack of assistance at the polling booths. Mukhtiar Singh, 85, one of the eldest voters from Atttari, had to be carried inside the booth by his family members to ensure he casts his vote.

Despite the Sveep activities, the volunteers of political parties were seen ferrying PWD voters and elderly voters on rickshaws at polling booths in Amritsar Central constituency. Satkar kaur, 69, voter from Dashmesh Avenue, also complained that the polling booth in the area had low lighting due to which it was difficult to see the candidates on EVM machine.