From asking for adequate facilities for the physically challenged to voting rights for prisoners and inpatients in the government hospital, the district administration has been receiving a number of requests ahead of the elections.
A Madurai-based lawyer, S. Muthukumar met the Returning Officer for the Madurai parliamentary constituency L. Subramanian here on Saturday and requested him to provide ramps, separate queues and other special facilities for the physically challenged voters in polling booths.
In a representation made to the collector, the lawyer pointed out that he had filed a writ petition at the Madras High Court in this regard. Disposing of the case on April 2, the court had recorded submission of the Election Commission that instructions had already been issued to all electoral officers in this regard.
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“While most government schools which are polling stations have ramps, a number of private buildings do not have that facility. A few polling booths have constructed ramps ahead of the elections which are very steep,” he explained and said that the court’s directive should be complied with.
Stressing facilities to be made for inpatients at hospitals to vote, Syed Babu, President of the South District Vasan Peravai, also met Mr. Subramanian.
Stating that he had met inpatients in hospitals in the city, Mr Syed said that there were many patients, except those in the ICU, are keen to vote.“The option of sending their vote via the postal ballot should be made available. Apart from the patients themselves, there are the people who stay with them as well who are often unable to leave them and go to vote as well,” he explained.
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Reacting to this query, Mr. Subramanian said that only the Election Commission should take a decision on implementing such facilities.