Parties skip ECI consultation on accessible elections for disabled voters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi might have exhorted the country and his party members to use the term ‘divyang’ (divine body) instead of ‘viklang’ for persons with disability, while launching ‘Accessible India’ in December 2015, in the hope of getting them their deserved due and attention.

However, his party members and most political parties seem to be least bothered, if one were to go by the attendance at the two-day “National Consultation on Accessible Elections”, organised by the Election Commission of India on July 3-4. Most were missing on the first day of the Consultation.

The Consultation is a part of the ECI’s larger mission to ‘leave no voter behind,’ with a special focus on ‘Persons with Disabilities’. “Accessible Elections” was adopted as ECI’s central theme for this year’s National Voters’ Day celebrations and the main objective is to enhance the participation of the PwD in the upcoming state and Lok Sabha elections.

Invitations were sent to representatives of all political parties, however, there was no participation from the members of the Prime Minister’s party itself and other major parties, said a source. “The only political representation was senior CPI leader Atul Kumar Anjan,” said a source who had attended the meeting.

“Many disabled persons from varied walks of life were present and an engaging discussion on accessible election ensued. Sadly, no one from the ruling party attended the meeting. It makes one wonder if they are serious about such consultations,” said Anjan.

The meeting was to discuss the best practices on ‘Accessible Elections’ that were practiced in six states during their last Assembly Elections. This Consultation is the culmination of a nearly three-month-long dialogue at district and state level.