Lok Sabha Elections : ‘Saksham’ App Revolutionizes Voting for Elderly and Disabled Citizens

The Election Commission of India has launched a new app called ‘Saksham’ to facilitate easier voting. The announcement was made by Dr. Suhas Diwase, the Collector and District Election Officer. This initiative is especially beneficial for people aged 85 and above, as well as those with more than 40% disabilities.

Dr Diwase highlighted, “Senior citizens aged 85 years and above and persons with more than 40 percent disability will have the option to vote from home, but arrangements will be made at polling stations for those who prefer to vote in person.”

The Saksham app is designed to assist individuals with disabilities in the voting process. The app offers a range of services, including the registration of disabled individuals, the addition of new voters, the transfer of votes, the request for changes in polling stations, wheelchair assistance, checking voter list names, accessing polling station details, lodging complaints, and checking booth locator status.

Special provisions have been made at polling stations to accommodate disabled voters, ensuring their comfort and ease. Facilities such as ground floor locations, drinking water, waiting sheds, medical kits, accessible toilets, adequate lighting, ramps, wheelchair facilities, preferential access, separate queuing facilities, standard signs, and volunteer assistance will be available.

Moreover, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will feature Braille and vote book facilities to assist blind and physically challenged voters.

A wide range of disabilities makes individuals eligible for enrollment, including blindness, low vision, deafness, hearing impairment, physical disability, mental illness, leprosy, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, acid attack victims, speech and language disabilities, specific learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, chronic neurological disorders, blood disorders, and multiple disabilities.

With these inclusive measures, the ‘Saksham’ app aims to ensure that every citizen, regardless of age or ability, can exercise their right to vote without hindrance.