Election Commission of India is organising a two-day National Consultation on Accessible Elections in New Delhi from today. It will be inaugurated by the Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat.

The event is a part of the ECI’s pursuit of its mission to leave no voter behind, with special focus on Persons with Disabilities. During the inaugural session, a dedicated portal for the ECI’s Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation initiative will also be launched.

Our correspondent reports, the national consultation will be attended by Chief Electoral Officers of all states, Civil Society Organizations working in the area of empowerment of the differently abled and senior officials of the

Union Ministries of Social Justice and Empowerment, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology, Youth Affairs and Sports, Central Board of Secondary Education, Central Public Works Department and the National Literacy Mission Authority among others.

The national event is the culmination of a nearly three-month long series of district and state level consultations.

It is aimed at identifying the barriers or gaps in the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the electoral process, to assess the existing accessibility initiatives and to find solutions for the challenges being faced by Persons with Disabilities.

The best practices on ‘Accessible Elections’ that were practiced in six states during their last Assembly Elections will be shared in the meeting.