The political fight for India's Disabled voters: Enabling the Disabled

Bombay (AsiaNews) - In the midst of media coverage of political giants in the fray of today's Phase III of the general elections, disabled voters are demanding surer access to the polls and greater awareness of their political voice. Mr. Javed Abidi, the physically challenged Executive Director of the National Center for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People, (NCPEDP) and the Convener of the Disabled Rights Group (DRG) is running in the General Elections on behalf of India's sixty million disabled citizens. .  Contesting in the 14 General Elections was not a personal decision for Mr. Abidi, but a carefully crafted resolution made by the DRG.  Disgusted with insensitive political parties and apathetic officials, handicapped voters realized that they could no longer be mute spectators and remain in the sidelines. Their only option was to jump into the race, assert their own identity and make their voice heard. Coming from the New Delhi constituency, Mr. Abidi alone speaks of the disabled as an invisible minority- not as subjects of charity or sympathy, but as productive and resourceful contributors to the country's economy.

 For years, his voice has never tired: It was through Javed Abidi's efforts and those of his colleagues that the historic Disability Act was passed in 1995.  A lone crusader of sorts, he is now engaged in a battle with the Election Commission (EC) to make the poll process 'disabled-friendly'. "It is about asserting the democratic rights of millions of disabled people in this country," Mr. Abidi stated. "We are human beings with wishes, hopes and desire to do something, just like any other normal human soul."

He has apprised the EC of the difficulties faced by the disabled during election time when casting their vote, and challenged the Commission on its knowledge of the Disability Act of 1995-1996, which clearly states that disabled people should have access to public places.  At present the DRG only asks for the handicapped to be able to vote with dignity, without others' help or assistance.

A blind lawyer who went to the polls stated that it wasn't too much to ask to make the Electronic Voting Machine's (EVM) 'Braille -enabled', and that would allow thousands of visually-impaired voters to cast their ballots independently.  Now, she could vote by pressing a button, but only with the help of a sighted person.  She blames the situation on a lack of social consciousness of the needs of handicapped persons.

 The members of the DRG are incensed and unable to understand why, in spite of this being the fourth Lok Sabha (Parliamentary) election since the Disability Act was passed, nothing has yet been done to make the poll process disabled-friendly. Their demands are neither illogical nor difficult to implement: creating temporary wooden ramps and including Braille in the EVMs for the blind does not incur a major expense, considering the thousands of rupees the Commission already spends on each polling booth.

The united handicapped are also fully aware of the limitations of their campaigning resources. Though they cannot compete with the high-pitch agendas of the political stalwarts, they have mobilized the help of benefactors to support their political initiative. Yet the issue is not whether they win or loose the election, but about ensuring the disabled section a rightful share in the Indian polity. They will continue to fight for their political space to get their voice heard.

A National Disabled Network is spread across 150 districts in the country and is supported by various human rights organization, women's bodies, children associations and civil rights activists. Around 5%-6% of India's population is disabled.

(N.C.)

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