By Shruthi Suresh
CHENNAI: The city corporation has begun inspecting shelters for homeless to see if they can be used as polling booths, sparking fear among activists and NGOs running the shelters.
While shelter coordinators have confirmed the inspections, activists say the routine activity, done every election, troubles the occupants who are confined to 1-2 rooms for 48 hours. It also creates security concerns, they add.
“The continuous movement of people coming to vote will invade their space and jeopardize their safety as well. Confining them to a room or two or asking them to leave the premises during the course of the polling is not feasible,” said Vanessa Peter, policy researcher, Information and Resource Centre for the Deprived Urban Communities.
Vaishnavi Jayakumar
of The Banyan also wrote to the civic body saying the same mistake was being made election after election.
The civic body runs 51 shelters for the homeless. “There was an inspection carried out at our shelter but we expressed our displeasure and practical issues after which we did not face any pressure,” said a shelter coordinator requesting anonymity.
Another said the corporation should rope in private schools for polling purposes. “We have been asked to shift residents to the first floor for two days during elections. But we have only one entrance and even if one or two rooms are used, it would be inconvenient. We have requested them [corporation officials] to look for alternative arrangements.”
Sources in the civic body said AROs had been asked to look for alternative spaces on the same streets as the shelters that have been assigned as polling booths. “We will take a balanced decision but last-minute changes to polling booth locations can’t be assured as it will lead to confusion among people coming to vote. But even if shelters are used, we will ensure that the residents are not inconvenienced,” said an official.
District election officer and corporation commissioner G Prakash said six shelters may be used. “Alternate options are being studied,” he said.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.
Start a Conversation
Post comment