Wooing voters to booth with Kalaripayattu, rallies

Performance by a Kalaripayattu team marked the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme at Ambalappuzha on Sunday. A rally, holding placards highlighting the importance of exercising the right to adult franchise, was taken out prior to the performance.

Muhamma Victory Kalari Sangham and Thottapally Rudra Kalari Sangham took part in the programme, organised by the District Sports Council and District Kalaripayattu Association. Akhil Kumar Mishra, the central observer on SVEEP, who was present at the programme, urged voters to exercise the right to vote.

Ramps

Construction of ramps for physically challenged voters is in progress at 381 polling booths in the district. Of the 1,469 booths in the district, construction has been completed in 1,088 booths.

A meeting of physically challenged voters was held at Aryad block panchayat under the SVEEP project on Saturday. Mr. Mishra met the participants and enquired about the amenities required for the voters. The meeting was organised by the Social Justice Department. Cultural performances by differently abled persons were also staged on the occasion.

Mr. Mishra said the SVEEP project envisaged participation of all physically challenged voters in the election. The voters would be permitted to enter the polling booths on wheelchair. The participants at the meeting demanded that the Election Commission make arrangements for transport of the physically challenged voters from their homes to the polling stations and back.