LOK SABHA ELECTIONS 2019: MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION OF PwD (PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES) VOTERS IN ELECTION PROCESS TO BE ENSURED: DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER

5312 PwD VOTERS HAVE REGISTERED THEMSELVES IN DISTRICT LUDHIANA; INTERNATIONAL CYCLIST SHAMLI SHARMA APPOINTED “ICON” FOR DISTRICT LUDHIANA Ludhiana, April 10, 2019: To ensure maximum participation of voters in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the District Administration Ludhiana with support of several NGO’s, is making large scale efforts. A function to motivate PwD (persons with disabilities) voters, to get registered as voters and to cast their vote in free and fair manner, was organised at Ishmeet Singh Music Academy, here today. This function was attended by a large number of PwD voters. During today’s function, International Cyclist Miss Shamli Sharma, who has been appointed as “Icon” for district Ludhiana, was specially honoured by Deputy Commissioner Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal. It is pertinent to mention that Miss Shamli Sharma had won a gold medal at the recently held Special Olympics at Doha (Qatar). While speaking on the occasion, District Election Officer cum Deputy Commissioner Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal stated that a total of 5312 PwD voters have been registered in district Ludhiana. He said that efforts are being made to ensure maximum participation of these voters in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He also informed that for the benefit of these voters, special ballot papers and voter slips would be made and to make sure PwD voters do not face any problem to cast their vote, a special mobile application has also been developed, where the PwD voters would be able to apply for various facilities. Mr Agrawal said that the district administration has already procured complete booth level data of all PwD voters, and volunteers would be deputed to assist them on polling day. He said that wheelchair facility would be provided free of cost to these voters, besides ramp, waiting area, help desk besides several other facilities would also be provided at all polling stations. He informed that the PwD voters would not have to wait in line to cast their vote as they would be given special treatment at the polling station. Mr Agrawal informed that visually impaired voters can also bring a helper with them to cast their vote. Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal said that India is the biggest democracy of the world, where every person has an equal right to vote. He urged all the voters to exercise their right to vote in a free and fair manner without any fear. During today’s function, students of Ishmeet Academy and Jamalpur School presented a cultural function. Prominent among those present on the occasion included ADC Jagraon Mrs Neeru Katyal Gupta, SDM Ludhiana (West) Mr Amrinder Singh Malhi, District Public Relations Officer Mr Prabhdeep Singh Nathowal, District Social Security Officer Mrs Inderpreet Kaur, District Programme Officer Mrs Rupinder Kaur, District SVEEP Coordinator Mr Charanjit Singh Kainth, Tehsildar Mr Harminder Singh, Ishmeet Academy Director Mr Charan Kanwal Singh, besides several others.