TURA: In a first of its kind and a unique gesture and commitment to facilitate voting rights to every citizen in accordance with the Election Commission of India’s theme ‘Accessible Elections’, a Person with Disability (PwD) voter Supurity Marak from Dorambokgre under Rangsakona Constituency was able to cast her vote for the first time in 17 years on Tuesday.
Marak had not been able to visit a polling station for close to two decades after she fell ill and became paralysed.
However, it was to the special care and facilities provided to her by election sector officer, Firdosh Momin, who paid her a home visit and motivated her to vote by ensuring that she will be brought to the polling station that she was able to cast her first ballot in seventeen years.
The General Election Observer, Nidhi Pandey, had also issued directions to election personnel for assisting Person with Disability voters in wheelchairs, crutch, etc.
As a result of which as many as twenty polling stations in West Garo Hills were provided with the equipment for use by PwD voters with support from the District Social Welfare officer in Tura.
Senior citizens and octogenarian voters were also given special attention during this elections.
In North Tura constituency, at Chandmary (Govt. Boys’ Higher Secondary School) polling station, octogenarian plus voters Milton Sangma (93), George N. Marak (96) and Gretaline N. Sangma (80), proudly and confidently came to exercise their universal franchise in this election.
