WHITHER WHEEL-CHAIRS & RAMPS???
Dis-abled and senior citizen voters left in the lurch
The Election Commissioner’s tall claims that elaborate facilities have been provided for the disabled and senior citizens at each and every polling booth proved hollow in Mulund and at several other places in Mumbai.
Enthusiastic senior citizens and the disabled were left disappointed at many polling booths in Mulund due to lack of wheelchairs and missing ramps. There were also no volunteers to help these people cast their votes. However, kudos to Mulund Police who played a stellar role in helping such people cast their votes.
Home Times, in its survey, found a long queue of voters at almost all the polling booths in Mulund but, alas, the plight of senior citizens and the disabled was pathetic. Due to the absence of ramps, the relatives had to carry their senior citizens on their backs. At some places, there was a lack of wheelchairs, too. At some places, senior citizens were carried in ordinary chairs tied to bamboo or wooden sticks! The sight was horrifying as it was dangerous and risky.
Mulund resident, Khushboo Ganatra (28), a differently-abled National Power Lifter player told Home Times, “Voting is not just our right, but it our national duty. Hence, I have been doing my duty at every election. However, I was disappointed on the voting day this time as there were not many facilities for the differently-abled like me and the senior citizens.” “There were no ramps for the wheelchairs. There was no separate queue for senior citizens. Besides, there was no shed and no water facility at some polling booths despite the scorching summer heat, she said.
