250/2023-2024

Aizawl, the 17th October, 2023: The State Steering Committee on Accessible Election (SSCAE) was held in the Office Chamber of the Chief Electoral Officer, Mizoram Pu Madhup Vyas, IAS, Chairman, SSCAE.

Pu Madhup Vyas presided over the meeting and apprised the members that sincere efforts have been undertaken by each district in following the instructions of ECI regarding accessible elections for the forthcoming General Election to the Mizoram Legislative Assembly, 2023. He laid greater stress on ensuring that Polling Station wise mapping of PwD votes is carried out in the State and data is maintained and updated regularly. He urged for creating and enabling barrier free environment for Persons with Disabilities in the State.

Dy. CEO & Member Secretary Pu Henry C.Lalrawnkima gave a brief report on the actions taken by SSCAE and the District committees. Director, Social Welfare, Tribal Affairs, Women & Child Development Dr. Lalhriatzuali Ralte also gave a brief report on Assessment and Certification Camps for PwDs, which took place during 27th September to 13th October, 2023 covering all the 11 districts in Mizoram, wherein over 26 towns and villages were visited. She also shared the latest compiled data on assessment and certification of PwD where numbers of PwDs from Electoral roll in Mizoram consist of 2031, accessed PwD 1129, assessed PwDs required for Medical Board approval is of 564, voters certified from the camps is 688 and above 18 years under UDID is 3947.

The members also shared that providing equal access framework to Persons with Disabilities ( PwDs) and improving service offerings is crucial for a successful Electoral participation. The meeting desired that the District Steering Committee on Accessible Election (DSCAE) in order to achieve an optimum accessible election may conduct at least two meetings and also have a continued survey of PwD within their respective jurisdictions in order to facilitate them to exercise their franchise at the polling stations or through home voting and to put in place all the assured minimum facilities. Apart from these, Special Awareness Campaign for PwD voters, training for election officials/polling personnel on sign language, detailed record of PwD voters in the State were among the topics discussed yesterday.