Facility of Voting from Home for Divyangs and Those Above 85 Years: DC

Filling Form-12D Mandatory, ‘Saksham ECi App’ Can Assist Divyang Voters

Dharamshala, April 7: Deputy Commissioner and District Electoral Officer Hemraj Bairwa has said that special arrangements are being made to facilitate voting for divyang voters during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as per the directions of the Election Commission of India. He informed that 9938 divyang voters have been identified in the district’s voter lists, including 6524 males and 3414 females. These voters will be given the option to vote from home. To choose this option, they will have to fill out Form-12D. Once Form-12D is filled out and their names are marked in the voter list, they will only be able to vote from home.

If any divyang voter wishes to vote at the polling stations instead of filling out Form-12D, special arrangements will also be made for them at the polling stations. The District Electoral Officer said that the same provision will apply for all elderly voters above 85 years of age, similar to divyang voters.

The District Electoral Officer further explained that for the convenience of divyang voters, the Election Commission has also launched the ‘Saksham ECi App’. Through this app, divyang voters can demand various facilities. Hemraj Bairwa mentioned that volunteers from organizations such as NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides, and other organizations will also be present to assist divyang voters at the polling stations. The District Electoral Officer instructed officials from the Education Department to raise awareness among students about this matter. He instructed officials to ensure facilities such as wheelchairs, ramps, toilets, and all other amenities for divyangs at the polling stations, and also to train the staff accordingly.