Senior citizens and physically challenged persons were put to hardship on Saturday at most polling booths in the city that lacked wheelchairs. Elders were seen being carried into the booths and some physically disabled limping in to exercise their democratic right.
Octogenarian S. Ramaswamy from Vidyaranyapura ward who came to cast his vote in the morning had to be assisted by a young man. “It is long walk from the gates of this polling station to the voting room and it is extremely difficult for senior citizens like me. The Election Commission should place a few wheelchairs in place taking into account the number of senior voters and also the disabled,” lashed out the retired BEL employee.
Narayanappa, a diabetic with leg injuries, had come to vote at a ward in Garudacharpalya with his wife only to realise that there was no means for him to enter as he couldn’t walk through. The autorickshaw driver in whose vehicle the couple arrived, had to carry Narayanappa to the polling both and fellow voters offered to give way for the ailing man.
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The situation remains extremely unfriendly for elders throughout other parts of Bengaluru too as wheeler-chairs or assistance is not provided.