This year, the election commission has made it mandatory for the Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) usage, which will be dropped in a box within few seconds of casting the vote.
As the election mood is gathering pace in the state, its citizens are busy deciding who to vote for. The Indian Constitution grants every citizen, above the age of 18, the right to vote. The right is universally granted to all Indians as per article 326 of the Indian Constitution, with few exceptions.
The visually-impaired people in the city are also very excited to take part in the electoral process. In 2012, the state election commission has also made Braille ballot papers. It helps to keep monitor the representatives of respective parties on their own, that also prior to casting their vote. However, one thing that these specially-abled people still need is a hand to take them to the booth.
Tarak Luhar, retired principal, Adult Centre for the Blind said, "It is an opportunity for us. We feel equal with others when the election comes. Initially, there were some problems. I used to take my daughter, but she was a minor them. Now, she is a grown up and can help me cast my vote. There is certainly document formality we have to follow at the polling booth."
"For me, trust is the main issue. I can't trust any random person or even some friend for voting. I took my daughter every time. She tells me what's there in the ballot, " added Luhar.
Another voter Rajendra Gamit, who takes his son for polling, said, "It's a confidential issue. I can't trust anybody but my son. My son will do what I will ask for. In the last election, I used the Braille feature and pressed the number on EVM machine. Then, my son had assured me that I have voted for the correct candidate which we had discussed before coming to the booth."
This year, the election commission has made it mandatory for the Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) usage, which will be dropped in a box within few seconds of casting the vote. To be sure that I have voted for the right person, I will take my son or daughter. Both of them are minors."
Another voter Babu Gamit, who has no idea who he has voted for till date, said, "Earlier when I was studying in Surat, they used to take us to the polling booth in a car. Someone used to vote on our behalf. I didn't know who my vote went to. During the last election, I went with one of my friends. However, I'm not sure if he voted for the person I had asked him to."
Sarla Trivedi, a female voter, is always accompanied by her father-in-law. "I love to exercise my rights. But, with some physical challenges, I have to fight obstacles. I need someone to rely upon," said Trivedi.
MATTER OF TRUST
- Many visually-impaired people across Gujarat go to the polling booths with their family members .
- Some are accompanied to the booths by their children. Some are even accompanied by their friends or immediate kin.
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