Chennai conservancy workers win aged and differently abled people's hearts as wheelchair volunteers

CHENNAI: On a mundane day, they swept streets, cleaned drains and collected garbage. But, on the polling day, conservancy workers and drain cleaners wearing smart white t- shirts bearing the election mascot were busy wheeling people in and out of polling booths.
Differently-abled and senior citizens had a mixed experience at polling booths in the city on Monday, but they were unanimous that the election office’s efforts were there to see.
“Wheelchair volunteers are doing a fantastic job getting all people with physical disabilities inside the booth,” said Smitha Sadasivan, member, Disability Rights Alliance. “But it was unfortunate that I had a tough time despite the efforts from the chief electoral officer and his team. My pathway was sandy and even my volunteer struggled to steer my motorised wheelchair,” said Smitha, who is suffering from multiple sclerosis.
For the first time in the history of elections in India, 13,000 wheelchairs were provided at polling stations across Tamil Nadu with volunteers. However, some booths such as a public school at Palkalai Nagar did not have a wheelchair and a volunteer. The elderly had to walk across more than 300 meters on a sandy ground with help from their children and police personnel.
“There is a rocky stretch laid over the sand temporarily from the road to the booth but it is treacherous. I can’t walk over that using my walking stick,” said 78-year-old Vishwanathan.
On the contrary, senior citizens at a booth in nearby Thiruvanmiyur were happy that they had help and friendly volunteers. “It is very easy, as soon as I got down from the car, the volunteers knew I would need help,” said Visalakshi who has a knee replacement.
A visually challenged voter filed a complaint that there was no braille ballot guide at a booth in T Nagar, and she could not vote.