The Odisha Election Commission, under the leadership of Chief Electoral Officer R. S. Gopalan, convened the first meeting of the Accessibility Committee to ensure a free, fair, and inclusive electoral process in the state.
Emphasising the importance of enabling Divyang (Persons with Disabilities) voters to exercise their democratic rights seamlessly, the commission outlined a series of measures to make polling booths accessible and voter-friendly.
The meeting, held at the Election Commission’s conference room, focused on implementing the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) guidelines for accessible elections. Key directives included equipping polling booths with ramps, drinking water facilities, toilets, and clear signage to assist Divyang voters.
The commission also stressed the use of the Saksham app to facilitate the registration of Divyang voters and raise awareness through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns.
CEO Gopalan underscored that the primary goal is to ensure all voters, especially those with disabilities, can participate in the electoral process without barriers. “The Election Commission is committed to creating an environment where Divyang voters can cast their valuable votes with ease and dignity,” he said. The committee also discussed collaborating with voluntary organisations and leveraging their support to enhance accessibility.
The meeting saw detailed deliberations on identifying Divyang voters, ensuring booth-level accessibility, and adopting additional measures to streamline their participation. The commission aims to align all efforts with ECI’s vision of conducting peaceful and transparent elections across Odisha.
Among the attendees were Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sushant Kumar Mishra, Deputy Electoral Officer Dr. Lakshmiprasad Sahu, Additional Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department Nilu Mahapatra, Additional Secretary of the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department Rajani Jani, Joint Director of OSEPA Suchismita Sahu, Nehru Yuva Kendra’s Shibaji Kharat, and Deputy Secretary of the Higher Education Department Dr. Ramesh Chandra Behera.
This initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring that Odisha’s electoral process is inclusive, accessible, and empowering for all.
