the goan I network
VASCO
Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes has been appointed the nodal officer for persons with disabilities.
Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon, Fernandes said he was excited with the appointment and assured that as nodal officer, he would ensure 100 per cent enrollment in voter rolls by creating various facilities for the disabled during elections.
“I am of the opinion that disability is not a problem but accessibility is the problem. Every vote counts and hence, we have to ensure every person with disability is brought to the mainstream by providing them accessibility for the election process.”
“Accessibility is still a problem which we have to overcome. Persons with disability should be given priority at the polling station. Signage for parking for persons with disability should be visible from the road,” he said.
Fernandes said he could understand the difficulties since he had worked in various capacities in the election process and had first hand knowledge of the ground realities.
“We have to identify specific strategies to enfranchise voters with different types of disabilities. There should be sign languages, braille, segmentation and alternative communication and all other accessible means, modes and formats of communication for persons with disabilities.”
“We should work for barrier-free elections. First, we should collect data of such person booth wise, train persons with visual disability, hold camps to motivate them.”
“My aim will be 100 per cent participation by all persons with disabilities. It should be inclusive participation of person with disabilities in the electioneering process,” said Fernandes.
Fernandes recalled that during his tenure as returning officer for polls to Sanvordem Constituency in the 2017 assembly elections, he had ensured that maximum voters with visual disability were trained through trained personnel from National Association of Blind on the use of the Braille EVM.
“Each person was identified and pick and drop facility was provided during training as well as during voting day. Special list of voters with persons with disability was prepared and given to the presiding officer concerned to give them priority for voting,” said Fernandes.
“I will do my best to bring all persons to cast their votes, which is a sacred duty. Special arrangements will be made to make the coming elections accessible. All polling stations will be accessible in all respects.”
“Fresh survey will be undertaken and I want to ensure that not a single person will be missed out. I will give special emphasis for inclusive elections for persons with disability,” said
Fernandes.
