Build permanent ramps in routine poll booths: HC to ECI

Chennai: Madras high court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that permanent ramps are constructed in the routinely notified polling booths, particularly in educational institutions and public buildings, in strict compliance with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.The first bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan also directed the ECI to take expeditious and effective steps to ensure easy access of websites for persons with disabilities."In spite of the directions issued by the Supreme Court and also various guidelines issued by the ECI from time to time, we find that permanent ramps are still not available in most of educational institutions and public buildings that are notified as polling booths during every election," the court said.The court passed the order while disposing of a plea moved by Vaishnavi Jayakumar seeking disabled-friendly polling booths.During every election, temporary ramps are put up with wooden planks, a few days prior to the date of election, and every time several problems and shortfalls are experienced by persons with disabilities, the court added.