Election Commission Introduces Home-Based Voting for Elderly and Physically Challenged Citizens

Agartala, Apr 10, 2024, By Our Correspondent

Agartala: April 10: The Election Commission of India (ECI) continues to innovate and enhance the electoral process, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. This year, a groundbreaking initiative has been implemented: house-to-house polling for elderly citizens aged 85 years and above, as well as physically challenged individuals.

Under this new process, dedicated polling staff visit the homes of eligible voters, facilitating their participation in the democratic process. The goal is to empower every citizen, regardless of age or physical limitations, to exercise their right to vote.

The Election Office’s calculations reveal significant numbers in specific constituencies. In the 20 Boxanagar Assembly Constituency of Sonamura Sub-division, there are 108 individuals aged 85 years or above, along with 38 Divyangan (physically challenged) voters, totaling 146 people. Similarly, in the 21 Nalchar Assembly Constituency, there are 153 elderly voters and 53 Divyangan voters, making a total of 206.

The Sonamura Assembly Constituencies (22) account for 76 elderly voters and 18 Divyangan voters (94 in total). Meanwhile, the 23 Dhanpur Assembly Constituencies boast 200 elderly voters and 56 Divyangan voters (257 in total).

Overall, there are 702 such citizens—both male and female—eligible for this specialized voting process. Among them, an impressive 537 individuals aged 85 years or above have already cast their votes, alongside 156 Divyangan voters.

As of Wednesday, house-to-house polling has commenced in these four assembly constituencies within the Sonamura sub-division. The exact number of accepted votes remains undisclosed at the time of reporting, but this initiative marks a significant step toward an inclusive and participatory democracy.