PANAJI
With electoral inclusion emerging as a priority, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Goa, organised a workshop bringing together experts from across India to discuss ways to strengthen democratic participation among marginalised communities.
CEO Sanjay Goel said the workshop, titled “Democracy for the Empowerment of Marginalised Sections of the Society”, focused on ensuring vulnerable sections were not left behind in the electoral process.
Addressing the inaugural session, Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee Brahmanand Sankhwalkar stressed the importance of equal opportunities and democratic values in nation-building. State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Guruprasad Pawaskar highlighted the need for accessible electoral processes and equal participation of persons with disabilities in governance.
The workshop was held in collaboration with Goa University, the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), Goa, and VM Salgaocar College of Law.
A Goa-specific presentation focused on the Wanarmare tribes. Mineral Foundation of Goa CEO Sachin Tendulkar, speaking on “Wanarmare Tribes of Goa: From Stateless to Voters”, highlighted how electoral inclusion had helped integrate historically marginalised communities into the democratic framework.
Election Commission of India Under Secretary Guncha Batra Aneja presented India’s Home Voting Model for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Comparing practices in Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Liberia and Costa Rica, she also discussed challenges faced by displaced populations in exercising their franchise. Aneja stressed the need to ensure every eligible citizen has meaningful access to the electoral process, irrespective of location or circumstance.
The second technical session examined democratic participation from diverse perspectives, including electoral governance in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Council, voter identity, political agency and grassroots experiences from urban informal settlements.
