Senior citizens and voters with physical disabilities can exercise their voting right in a hassle-free manner in the district of Dharwad in Karnataka. The district administration has arranged special facilities to encourage voters of these categories so that the maximum number of voters participates in voting.
There are around 13,159 voters with disabilities, apart from senior citizens. Deputy Commissioner and District Returning officer M. Deepa said that mapping has been carried out booth-wise to identify different types of voters with disabilities and arrange for special facilities according to their requirement.
Hence, 3,268 trained volunteers, two each in every polling station, have been deputed to assist such voters. Facilities like wheelchairs, first aid kit, life-saving medicines, biscuit packets, drinking water and other amenities are given.
A total of 789 vehicles were arranged to provide commuting facility for physically disabled voters and senior citizens. The nodal officers have identified auto rickshaws and taxis to provide commuting facility in the urban areas. Besides, visually impaired voters would be provided with magnifying glasses at polling stations.
Rajashree Jainapur, manager, Food and Civil Supplies Corporation and Amarnath, District Handicap Welfare Officer, Dharwad have been appointed nodal officers for vehicle arrangements for voters with disabilities.
A total of seven specially designed Persons with Disabilities Booths were set up. These booths are at Shankar Arts College in Navalgund, Taluk Panchayat Office new building in Kundgol, Agriculture College, Belagavi Road in Dharwad, Government Kannada Medium Boys School, No 8, Room No 2 in Ganesh Pet, Hubballi, Government Model Kannada Boys School, No 16, Hosur, RLS High School Sabha Bhavan, Dharwad, and Government Higher Primary Model Central School, Room No 1 in Kalghatgi.
Interestingly, persons with physical disabilities would manage these booths, said Ms. Deepa.
Sakhi Booths
For the first time 16 Sakhi booths- two each in eight Assembly constituencies are managed by women, have been set up. They are at Model Education Board Boys High School, Navalgund, Sri Amruteshwara Pre-University College, Annigeri, Kundgol, Pattan Panchayat Office old building, Kundgol, Government Urdu High School near court, Kundgol, Mrutyunjaya High School and Office of the Joint Director of Agriculture, Belagavi Road, Dharwad.
HDMC Hospital, Toravigalli, Hubballi, and Basel Mission Boys High School, Hubballi, Velangani Education Society, Siddeshwar Park, Vidya Nagar, Hubballi, and Government Artisan Training Institute, Hosur, Bendre Bhavan and Women’s Training College, Dharwad, Pattan Panchayat offices in Kalghatgi and Alnavar, Purasabhe Sabha Bhavan, Shiggaon, and Government Kannada Higher Primary Boys School, Kottigeri, Bankapur.
