Delhi University to make DUSU elections accessible for students with disabilities
Asia-Pacific Aug 31, 2011
New Delhi, India: Blind people can exercise their right to a secret ballot from now on. In order to make Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections disabled-friendly, the university has decided to provide information on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in Braille. Until last year, blind students voted with assistance from others – but that practice is going to be discontinued in the elections to be held on September 9.
The university also plans to make the polling booths more accessible with the installation of ramps.
“We want to make the entire election process more inclusive this time. The candidates’ list is going to be provided in Braille. Besides, we will also put up ramps. We will be meeting all college principals in a day or two to apprise them of the development,” said chief election officer, I Usha Rao. She said that her team will ensure that students with disabilities get an equal chance to cast their vote. The decision has been taken following the Supreme Court’s 2005 order, which called for general elections to be made disabled-friendly.
Bipin Tiwari, deputy dean for students with disabilities, said, “The whole purpose of the secret ballot was defeated when blind people cast their votes with the aid of helpers. But now we are getting stickers made in Braille format.” He added, “The Supreme Court order clearly mentions that there should be ramps at the polling stations, there should be no queues and the polling personnel should be sensitized. We are now trying to implement all this in DUSU elections.” According to Tiwari, at least 400 students will benefit from Braille EVMs this year.
The process for filing of nominations is on till August 29. The nominated candidates are allowed to withdraw their names by September 1. The list of final nominations will be put up later that day. Voting will take place from 8.30am to 12.30pm in morning colleges and from 4pm to 8pm in the evening colleges. The code of conduct for the elections is being prepared but like last year, candidates will not be allowed to use printed posters for campaigning.
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