Meghalaya’s visually impaired voters: Recognized by Electorate yet ignored by Politicians & Masses
By SHWETA RAJ KANWAR | March 31, 2019
Bethany Society, Shillong is abuzz with the enthusiasm of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) who are pretty excited about the announcement of Braille ballot papers for the first time in Meghalaya this Lok Sabha election. As much as it is being hailed as a step towards freedom & independence of the visually impaired voters, there is little guarantee that this much needed step will ensure an independent decision making ability to them.
Rickyson Malngiang is a visually impaired 19-yr-old from Mawlai, Shillong. He has been unable to receive proper education due to his inability to read or write owing to his poor vision which was rapidly fading away. He was brought to Jyoti Sroat School for disabled children and now resides in Bethany Society for the most part of his year: A place which provides a conducive environment to him unlike urban Shillong, where people's attitude towards PWDs is still unfavourable and public spaces barely accessible.
He is excited to be a first time voter but a wave of nervousness engulfs his smiling face when I ask him what kind of party/person will he vote for- " I don't know", he says, "I am not very aware of the party or people", he rues.
When asked if he listens to the news, he answers, "Not very often, but we do talk to teachers and friends and discuss somethings at times".
The same concern is shared by other 1st time voters including Risinius Pathaw, Rickyson Malngiang, Marelad Kanai and Maison Sun.
"I'll vote for whoever my parents tell me to", is a common answer shared by Gollo Yanye and Toku Marry as well .
THE GOOD NEWS!
It all began with the announcement thatthe Election Commission in Meghalaya for the first time will facilitate morethan 800 visually impaired electorates to vote using braille secret ballots.The ballot papers on EVMs will have the names and symbols of candidates inbraille alphabets.
So far, 4500 persons with disabilitieshave already been mapped to ensure that they get priority in polling booths.
The move has been welcomed by visuallyimpaired voters as well as advocates of PWDs.
Bertha Gyndykes Dkhar, known as the inventor of Braille Code in Khasi and who is also the senior coordinator for education and other programmes at Bethany Society, Shillong lauded the CEO's move while conversing with TNT- The Northeast Today and added, "The state Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Roy Kharkongor has created history by announcing such a move and we are very happy. But again, it is now upto the people and the politicians to acknowledge our existence and truly make elections an inclusive one".
Carmo Noronha, Executive Director of Bethany Societyalso expressed his satisfaction with this decision of the CEO.
"Meghalaya is now truly following the motto of theElection commission that says 'No voter should be left behind'. There have beenbarriers that have prevented people in participating—inability to communicateand attitude of masses for instance. But what is the guarantee that an intellectuallysound person is not making a wrong choice influenced by external forces? Hencethere is no reason to say that a person with disability (PWD) will not be ableto make a right choice", he said.
ACKNOWLEDGEDBY ELECTORATE, IGNORED BY POLITICIANS!
It may be mentioned that manifestos play animportant role in framing a voters' opinion but the inaccessibility of partymanifestos to many sections of PWDs, especially the visually impaired is amajor setback in framing the opinion of this section of voters. Given the fact that the only means ofinformation for them is braille literature and radio accompanied by discussionswithin groups. And conversations on politics and state is barely even a topicof discussion for them. This makes them all the more less independent and morereluctant to vote.
No political party has gone over the board to makemanifestos available in braille or even interact with these voters with regardsto the same. Probably because they are taken for granted every single electionby each political party and candidate.
As Carmo puts it, "At the end of the day, their choices depend on the quality of their lives in terms of health, education, employment opportunities, livelihood, acceptance in society and ability to be and exercise independence—If they see a positive change in these domains then they will definitely be able to decide who/which party is right for them".
THE ROAD AHEAD: POLITICAL UN-AWARENESS, PEOPLE'S ATTITUDE & ACCESSIBILITY
The introduction of Braille Ballot papers has nodoubt set precedence for more independence to the visually impaired voters but asfar as political awareness of this section of voters is concerned, the answeris known.
Moreover, the educated visually impaired voter maystill be able to gather their knowledge from various sources but what about theuneducated visually impaired voter? They still remain in the dark and thebarrier remains unattended.
As Carmo asserts, " This is a question of right. It is definitely a welcome move to have ballot papers in braille but what about a PWD who cannot read- How will he/she vote then although voting is their right but how will they make a proper choice?".
An air of nervousness accompanies them, especiallythe 1st time voters who are unsure of the entire process. As Bertha aptly puts it," I am still wondering how will all this work out—what about the trainingto first time visually impaired voters who are unaware of the entire system ofvoting? As it is, they will be nervous and moreover if they are not trained toexercise their franchise in a proper manner, I do not think they would be ableto vote in a free and fair manner. The feeling of being watched makes thesevoters nervous".
It may seem like one is asking for too much butprovision of a special booth for a marginal community of voters becomesimportant as sharing the same polling booth- one which already will have a longqueue will not be a very viable option. As it is, PWD voters need time andspace and common voters may/may not show patience over this fact.
"I feel it is very important to sensitise thecommon voters about the needs and abilities of the PWD voters that they willtake a longer time to vote", Bertha asserts.
It may be mentioned that very few schools and colleges in the state are accessible to disabled persons. And speaking about public spaces, these areas are not at all accessible to many sections of disabled persons. Hence although they have been given an opportunity to voice their choices this time round, this section remains vastly under represented by the government of any political party whatsoever. It is an irony of sorts to even think about the criteria/s on which PWDs would vote given the fact that almost every government has failed this marginal population group in Meghalaya.
It is true that barriers will still exist but reduction of barriers is what matters and braille ballot papers is definitely a step in the right direction.
The writer can be reached at shwetarajkanwar@gmail.com and shweta@thenortheasttoday.com
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