Karwar: District Electoral Officer and Deputy Commissioner Gangubai Mankar announced that voters with disabilities will have access to free pick-up and drop-off facilities on Election Day, May 7, provided by the Uttara Kannada district administration.

Mankar disclosed these details during the launch of an election-themed bike rally organized by the district's SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) committee at the DC office in Karwar on Monday. She stressed the importance of voting for individuals over 18 years of age, urging them to actively participate in this festival of democracy.

In the Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, 15,666 differently-abled voters have been identified. Vehicles will be arranged for those who prefer to vote at polling stations rather than from home, ensuring their transportation needs are met.

Vehicle arrangements are based on demand as communicated by Village Rehabilitation Workers (VRW) and Multipurpose Rehabilitation Workers (MRW) from the Zilla Panchayat and Gram Panchayat levels. Additionally, provisions will be made to supply fuel for disabled persons using their own vehicles to vote, if necessary. The district administration is committed to providing all necessary facilities to ensure that no voter is excluded due to old age or disability.

Mankar noted that significant efforts are underway to raise voter awareness for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections through various programs conducted by the SVEEP Committee.

Special arrangements have been made for voters with special needs and those above 85 years old to vote from home from April 25th to 30th. Voters who have already submitted consent form 12D for home voting will be informed in advance about the visit of polling officers to their homes via post, telephone calls, and through BLOs (Booth Level Officers), ensuring their presence for voting.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Ishwar Kumar Kandu highlighted the ongoing voter awareness programs organized by the SVEEP committee at both village and urban local body levels.

The constituency's 1,435 polling stations have been equipped with ramp systems, necessary amenities, separate queues, and wheelchairs for voters with special needs. Model polling booths also include facilities for children to play and restroom amenities. These efforts contributed to a successful polling day with a large turnout of voters at polling booths.

Over 100 differently-abled individuals from the district participated in the program with their three-wheelers, all taking the voter's oath to affirm their commitment to the electoral process.