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Suggestions for increased inclusiveness in general elections

Tue, 05/07/2019 - 12:08 -- geeta.nair
Date of enactment: 
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Eyeway Synopsis: 
Suggestions for increased inclusiveness in general elections
Introduction to Act: 
For those who do not know Braille we have a workaround. Please access http://bit.ly/form-7a for details. We are trying to get ECI to make its document tables etc properly accessible - so far they have only made the candidate list in EVM order available on mobile apps <https://eci.gov.in/eci-mobile-app/> Voter Helpline - Android and iOS and PwD app on Android. It would be very helpful if you could fill the #votability feedback form at http://bit.ly/votability with your suggestions and experience sharing. Some queries : a) What languages were Braille Ballot candidate lists available? b) If there were more than 15 candidates necessitating linked EVMs, could you read the top centre Braille sticker on the balloting unit? If so what was written and in which language? As far as assisted voting goes, there is no need for a form to be filled if a person's help is restricted to navigating and the actual vote with be cast by the voter concerned. The voter is guided to the booth and the assistant leaves the voter to cast vote in privacy and returns only once vote has been cast. Only if there is difficulty in reading or pressing the button and the person is accompanied by the companion while voting, does Section 49N <https://indiankanoon.org/doc/197923052/> apply with companion having to fill Form 14A. The following extract will clarify why an election official cannot perform a companion's role, nor strictly speaking should a standalone volunteer as a person can be a companion voter only once. Section 49N in The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 49N. Recording of votes of blind or infirm electors.— (1) <https://indiankanoon.org/doc/39192833/> If the presiding officer is satisfied that owing to blindness or other physical infirmities an elector is unable to recognise the symbol on the balloting unit of the voting machine or unable to record his vote by pressing the appropriate button thereon without assistance the presiding officer shall permit the elector to take with him a companion of not less than eighteen years of age to the voting compartment for recording the vote on his behalf and in accordance with his wishes: Provided that no person shall be permitted to act as the companion of more than one elector at any polling station on the same day: Provided further that before any person is permitted to act as the companion of an elector on any day under this rule that person shall be required to declare that he will keep secret the vote recorded by him on behalf of the elector and that he has not already acted as the companion of any other elector at any other polling station on that day. (2) <https://indiankanoon.org/doc/94544536/> The presiding officer shall keep a record in Form 14A of all cases under this rule.

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