Returning officers directed to arrange seating and wheelchairs at polling stations for elderly and divyaang voters: Chief Electoral Officer

Option to vote from home available for divyaang and voters aged above 85- Pankaj Agarwal

Chandigarh, August 29 - Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal, directed all Returning Officers to ensure that seating arrangements and wheelchairs are available at polling stations for elderly and divyaang voters, as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that the Election Commission has provided an option for divyaang (Persons with Disability) voters and those above 85 years of age to vote from home as well. If any voter wishes to vote from home, they need to fill out Form 12-D and submit it to the concerned officer, who will visit their residence. If they want to vote at the polling station, the Returning Officer will arrange transportation to and from the polling station. Senior citizens above 85 years of age, whose age is mentioned in the voter list, do not need to provide any additional certificate with Form 12-D. Officers from the department will visit their homes before the voting day to collect their preference, added the Chief Electoral Officer.

Sh. Agarwal stated that divyaang, who are marked as voters in the voter list and possess a benchmark disability certificate certified by the appropriate authority under Section 2 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (with at least 40 percent specified disability), are eligible to apply for the postal ballot facility. Such voters must attach a copy of their benchmark disability certificate when submitting Form 12-D.

Sh. Pankaj Agarwal emphasised that the process of collecting filled Form 12-D should be completed within five days from the date of notification. Sector Officers, under the supervision of the Returning Officer/Assistant Returning Officer, will ensure the timely distribution and collection of Form 12-D through BLOs.