Political Participation:

Making Elections
Accessible in India
Javed Abidi
Chairperson, Disabled Peoples
International
Email: chairperson.dpi@gmail.com

Beginning
India is the worlds largest democracy and home to an
estimated 70-100 million people with disabilities or at least
7% of the countrys population.
Yet, in a country whose political system is largely swayed by
vote banks, disability was and continues to be a low priority
for politicians and political parties.
Prior to 2004, the election process itself was inaccessible:
the polling booths were at inaccessible venues, the ballot
papers were not in Braille and the electronic voting
machines (EVMs) did not have a Braille strip.

General Election 2004

4th General Election since the passage of the

Disability Act of 1995.
Disabled Rights Group (DRG), a cross-disability
alliance of disabled peoples organisations, NGOs
and activists working in the area of disability,
wrote to the Election Commission urging them to
make the polling booths accessible and removing
impediments that people with disabilities face
while exercising their right to vote.

National Convention on the Political Rights of Disabled People

National Convention on the Political Rights of Disabled People

National Convention on the Political Rights of Disabled People

Protests outside Election Commission

Protests outside Election Commission

Protests outside Election Commission

Protests outside Election Commission

Protests outside Election Commission

Building ramps outside the Election Commission

Building ramps outside the Election Commission

Building ramps outside the Election Commission

Building ramps outside the Election Commission

Appeal to the President

DRG also appealed to the then President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
to facilitate smooth voting for the millions of disabled Indian
voters.
In a representation to the President, Javed Abidi, Convenor,
DRG, said, "Time is running out. With every passing day, it will
become that much more difficult for the nation to ensure that
disabled people were not discriminated against in this election
also.
A document was presented to the Election Commission outlining
the problems faced by disabled voters, and the solutions to them.

 Problem 1: Lack of transport facility disenfranchises

millions of disabled voters
Solution: Government to issue directive to public transport
such as buses to pay special attention to disabled voters,
giving them enough time to board the buses and
disembarking as close to the polling booths as possible.
Problem 2: Barriers and barricades put up at the polling
booths by security agencies
Solution: Election Commission to issue directive to allow
vehicles carrying disabled persons to go up to the polling
booths. Special stickers can be issued to such vehicles.

 Problem 3: Polling booths themselves have steps that are

difficult to negotiate
Solution: Provide temporary wooden ramps at polling stations.
Problem 4: Visually impaired voters cannot cast their vote
in secrecy and have to take the help of someone
Solution: Print numbers in Braille and stick them on the EVMs.
Problem 5: Hearing impaired voters are harassed because
of their invisible disability
Solution: Election Commission to send a firm circular
sensitizing their staff about such voters.

Meeting with Election Commission

Meeting with Election Commission

Too little too late: Election Commission

Circular
Fast unto Death in protest

Fast unto death

Chief Justice of India takes up the issue of accessible elections

Chief Justice of India takes up the issue of accessible elections

Supreme Court passes interim order for accessible elections, a first in Indias history!

Supreme Court passes interim order for accessible elections, a first in Indias history!

Supreme Court passes interim order for accessible elections, a first in Indias history!