Assistance for differently-abled

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The differently-abled with the Certificate of Eligibility can be accompanied to caste his or her vote. The Certificate of Eligibility issued under the Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 28 of 2011 should include the name of the person assisting, who should be above 18 and not contesting in the elections. He or she should not be an authorised or a polling agent of a political party. The Act states a differently abled voter who is unable to seek such assistance could cast his /her vote with the assistance of the Senior Presiding Officer in the presence of another officer.

The Elections Commissioner's office states a person who is unable to go to the polling station due to physical disabilities under Section 83(4)(d) could request for a vehicle from the Returning Officer of the electoral district.

The requests must be made to the Returning Officer before the stipulated time. Applications for polling facilities should have been made before August 9, 2015.