SHILLONG: Meghalaya’s Additional Chief Secretary, P. S. Thangkhiew observed that the number of people who have enrolled in the electoral registration has increased even as he allayed fears of enrolment of doubtful citizens.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the celebration of the 8th National Voter’s Day under the theme by the election department under the theme, “Accessible Elections”, which is aimed at encouraging both the abled and disabled youth to register for electoral enrolment at Fire Brigade ground, on Thursday.
He observed that the increasing figure of 18,31,000 odd voters in the State “with all the precautions, procedures and processes is much sanitized with no doubtful citizens enrolled.”
He recalled the time he served as Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) from 2000 to 2005, the electors base of the state was slightly more than 12 lakhs whereas it currently reached 18 lakhs electoral registration in a span of 12 years.
Stating that the 3683 differently abled voters should be given the right to exercise their franchise, Thangkhiew said, “Access should be given to the 3000 plus voters to vote wherever they are whether they are in Baghmara, Maheshkhola… the polling station should be equipped with necessary facilities to make them cast their votes.”
He added that giving the ease of access to disabled voters to exercise their franchise is to empower them.
Impressed with the musical prowess of visually impaired musicians, “Light after dark,” Thangkhiew proposed that the band should be hired for functions and be given a good remuneration for their efforts.
“We will try to bring this into our mainstream,” he added.
On the same day, Thangkhiew unveiled the paintings by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), there was also the release of Braille SVEEP materials & EVM/VVPAT animation and National Records of Limca Book of Records.
The state election department has made its way to the Limca Book of Records for the human logo formation comprising 2,870 young from 113 schools and 3 colleges in a single venue here.
Marking a special occasion, the department also felicitated two visually impaired footballers – Klingson D. Marak and Gabriel Nongrum who are the members of the Indian Blind Football Team.
There were also the felicitation and distribution of EPIC to the Millennium Voters – voters who are born on January 1 in the year 2000 and have attained the age of 18 on the first day of this year, and distribution of prizes to the winners of the Democracy Run 2018.
Blind Football match
Keeping up with the theme of accessible elections, the state election department also held a blind football match between Shillong and Tura in which Shillong team was declared the winner with a score of one goal at Bethany Society football ground, Laitumkhrah.
State CEO, F. R. Kharkongor told reporters that the blind football match along with the Bethany Society is to promote inclusive participation in the democratic process.
He added that it an effort of the election commission to make the entire electoral process not only free and transparent but also inclusive.
Speaking about the facilities made available for PWDs during elections, Kharkongor said, “There are 243 specially created booths to facilitate much easier access in terms of voting for PWDs.”
“Various Deputy Commissioners have mobilized resources and they have kept a stock of 50 wheelchairs so that if there is a requirement, the wheelchairs would be made available for the PWDs,” he added.
There are 500 volunteers who will facilitate the ease of voting at the various polling booths.
Meanwhile, Bethany Society Director Executive Director, Carmo Noronha said that it is very good example of collaboration even as supporting the cause of the PWDs is important.
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