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Scouts help seniors, differently abled to vote

Last Updated 19 April 2019, 01:57 IST

Some polling booths in Bengaluru were inaccessible for voters with disability and seniors.

Elderly voters were made to walk up 2-3 floors to cast their votes and the ramps set up proved to be inadequate.

At the Government Primary School behind Hoskerehalli bus stand, a bunch of scouts carried the wheelchair-bound elders and people with disability to the second-floor polling station. Voters relied on the 10 or 15 scouts since the ramp set up here was uneven.

“We’re doing our bit for the nation. We’re still not eligible to vote and the least we could do is to assist the voters. We noticed the plight of the voters last time and decided to help,” Sanjeev, a member of the scout team, told DH.

Some voters were furious that the EC did not set up the facilities properly to allow them to reach the booth unaided. Nagaraj Nayak (89) made no secret of his feelings. “Polling booths should be on the ground floor and should be easily accessible. We’re thankful to these kids, but the EC should take notice and correct this next time,” he said.

The scene was no different at another booth in Uttarahalli, where the NCC cadets carried the elders and those with disability.

The government school in Vasanthpur had the polling station on the first floor, making it difficult for the seniors to reach.

Paralysed man carried to polling booth

A 52-year-old paralysed man did not allow his challenge to stop him from exercising his democratic right on Thursday.

Ajaz Ahmed, who suffers from a host of health issues that includes kidney problems, diabetes and blood pressure was carried to a polling booth to vote by his family members to cast his vote.

Speaking about his commitment to vote, Aejaz Baig, Ahmed's brother-in-law says " He got up early in the morning and was geared up to cast his vote . He kept pushing us to take him to the voting booth. He has never stepped back from voting as he believes that one must vote without fail as a proud citizen of India."

He also adds that Ahmed's failing health has never stopped him from performing his duties and he is an inspiration to his family.

On Thursday Ahmed arrived in an auto from which he was carried by four of his family members to a polling booth in Chikkabasavanapura in K R puram constituency to cast his vote. Ahmed is married with two young children.

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(Published 18 April 2019, 20:08 IST)

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