Namchi, 1st April (IPR): A daylong Orientation cum Sensitization programme for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Volunteers for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Voters under South District was held at Community Hall, Namchi today.
Present in the program were SDM (HQ) Mr. Hemant Rai, Joint Secretary (CEO) Election Mrs. Tashi Choden and Joint Secretary (Social Welfare Division) SJE&WD Mrs. Rohini Pradhan alongside BLO’s and volunteers under South District.
Addressing the gathering, SDM (HQ) Mr. Hemant Rai spoke about the significance of the orientation program which he stated was to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise the right to vote by casting their votes through the support of BLOs on the day of the poll. He spelt out the key roles and responsibilities of the BLOs to facilitate all accessible means of voting for PwD voters as per the guidelines of Election Commission of India (ECI). He also issued directives to the BLOs on distribution of Photo Voter’s Slip before 6th April 2019, Voter’s Assistance Booths and Braille Voter’s slip alongside expounding the objective of Inclusive Elections for General Elections 2019.
Resource person for the day, Mrs. Rohini Pradhan and Mrs. Tashi Choden in their addresses, explained the facilities in place for PwD voters such as pick-up and drop service. Based on the data, arrangements of vehicle with helpers will be made in the polling centers, stated the resource persons. Additionally, behavioral etiquettes to be observed by the BLOs and volunteers assisting the PwD voters were also discussed in the program. It may be mentioned that there approximately 500 PwD voters in South District for which adequate arrangement has been made for them to have access to their polling stations. Likewise, there are a total of 3 model polling stations in South District namely Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Institute for Handicapped (JNMIH) Boomtar Room No I and II, Namchi Senior Secondary School I and II and CCCT Chisopani Room No I and II. Similarly, JNMIH Room No I and II have been identified as model polling stations for PwD voters in the district
