Astha, a non-governmental organisation working for empowerment of people with disabilities, has launched an initiative to enable them to vote in general elections 2014.
Supported by five NGOs working in the area and other two companies, their target is to reach 2,000 people by February 28.
Persons with disabilities are identified with the help of the NGOs, who are then approached by Astha. A helpline (9900499793) has been set up to help them get enrolled. As of now, 13 individuals have been enrolled with the help of 12 volunteers.
Online enrolment The Election Commission’s online enrolment process is being used for this purpose. “Registration is done online after which we fill applications. The required documents — address proof, age proof and photograph — are scanned and uploaded. The next step is to print the application and get the applicant’s signature. We take the forms and submit them at the electoral office or Bangalore One centres,” Sunil Jain, founder and chief enabler of Astha, said.
The database of those without voter identity cards is being built after which a full fledged enrolment drive will take place, he added.
Next camp today Astha is conducting its second camp for voter registration at The Deepa Academy for the Differently-Abled, 226/A/3, Tank Bund Road, Subramanyanagar, on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Snehadeep Trust, which works with the visually challenged, has also taken part in the enrolment drive.
