Elderly Empowerment: Over 2.48 Lakh Senior Citizens in Pune to Vote at Home in Upcoming Elections

Pune, 19th February 2024: The Central Election Commission has granted the privilege of voting at home to senior citizens aged 80 and above since the last by-elections. As a result, over 2.48 lakh senior citizens in the Pune district will have the opportunity to benefit from this concession during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The conclusive voter list for the Lok Sabha elections has disclosed that Pune district holds the top position in the number of elderly voters compared to other districts in the state of Maharashtra. With more than 26 lakh senior citizens, the state as a whole will witness a significant number of elderly voters benefiting from this concession. Even those senior citizens who prefer to participate in the election process without availing of this concession can still visit the polling station and exercise their voting rights. To facilitate their participation, the Election Commission has issued directives to station volunteers at each polling station to assist elderly voters during the voting process.

The Central Election Commission has initiated several measures to address the declining voter turnout in elections. To facilitate easier voting for senior citizens, all polling stations nationwide have been relocated to the ground floor. In Maharashtra, polling stations for 150 housing societies have been established in residential areas. Senior citizens can engage in the voting process by completing the sample application form 12-D, allowing them to vote without the need to visit the polling station. These efforts aim to enhance accessibility and encourage greater participation in the electoral process.

A PwD (Persons with Disabilities) app has been launched following the directives of the Central Election Commission, aiming to enhance the engagement of disabled individuals in the voting process and facilitate their participation. The app provides a convenient platform for disabled voters to cast their votes.

According to the final voter list, Maharashtra has a total of 5,90,382 disabled voters. Pune district stands out with the highest number of disabled voters, totalling 85,200, while Mumbai has the lowest count with 4,894 disabled voters in the state. The Maharashtra State Election Commission has communicated that voters with a disability of 40% or more can opt for voting at home or utilize the postal voting facility. This initiative is part of the broader effort to promote inclusivity and accessibility in the electoral process.

Using the PwD app is a straightforward process. Here’s a general guide on how citizens can use the app:

1. Download the App:
– Visit the relevant app store on your mobile device (Google Play Store for Android or Apple App Store for iOS).
– Search for the “PWD Voting App” and download it.

2. Registration:
– Open the app and register with your details.
– During the registration process, you will be assigned a unique ID on your mobile device.

3. Verify Registration:
– After registration, you will receive notifications or alerts confirming that your vote has been successfully registered.

4. Voting Process:
– On election day, use the app to cast your vote. The app will guide you through the available candidates and parties.

5. Assistance for Disabled Voters:
– The government will appoint volunteers to assist disabled voters.
– Volunteers will be responsible for transporting disabled voters to the polling station and ensuring their safe return home.