JALANDHAR
In a bid to ensure the participation of every voter in elections, the Jalandhar Administration led by Deputy Commissioner-Cum-District Election Officer Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal carried out a mammoth exercise to make elderly and PWD voters cast their votes at doorsteps.
Elderly and PWD voters cheered as teams of the Jalandhar Administration reached out to them ensuring their active participation in this mega festival of democracy.
Divulging the details, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal said that a total of 902 PWD, and elderly aged above 85 years had submitted their consent (form 12) to cast their votes at home through ballot papers, subsequently, the administration formed special teams to make them vote from home.
He mentioned that election staff took postal ballots at their doorsteps so that they could cast their voters as per the SOP fixed by the Election Commission of India. He further mentioned that a total of 588 voters above 85 years of age, 314 PWD voters, 2 essential services voters have opted for this facility.
Giving more information, he also said that a total of 82 voters aged above 85 years selected to exercise their franchise in Phillaur assembly constituency, followed by 15,37,14,38, 128, 74, 161, and 39 elderly voters in Nakodar, Shahkot, Kartarpur, Jalandhar West, Jalandhar Central, Jalandhar North, Jalandhar Cantt, and Adampur constituencies. Likewise, 27 PWD voters opted ballot votes in Phillaur, and 9, 14, 5, 30, 18, 30, 150, and 24 voters applied for utilizing their voting rights in Nakodar, Shahkot, Kartarpur, Jalandhar West, Jalandhar Central, Jalandhar North, Jalandhar Cantt, and Adampur constituencies respectively, he added.
Deputy Commissioner reiterated that every single vote is valuable in the democracy, thereby district administration is duty bound to facilitate voters for bye elections. He added that elaborate arrangements have also been made at polling stations to assist voters with special needs including availability of wheelchairs, pick and drop facilities, and so on. He urged the voters to cast their votes on June 1, 2024, to further strengthen the ethos of democracy.
Sharing her experience, Satwant Kaur, a resident of defense colony said that it was an overwhelming experience for her as the district administration has made elaborate arrangements to make her utilize her franchise at home. Another voter, Om Parkash from Bootan Pind, hailed the Jalandhar Administration’s efforts to plan for home voting. He mentioned that due to health conditions, he was unwilling to visit polling stations and he felt happy that the administration had made him cast his vote from home. A 90-year-old voter Bimla Rani said that the administration has planned for home voting for her as she couldn't reach the polling station amid these hot weather conditions.