This story is from January 20, 2021

Chennai Corporation sets up WhatsApp number for disabled voters

Chennai Corporation sets up WhatsApp number for disabled voters
CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has set up an exclusive WhatsApp number for disabled voters ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly election.
The WhatsApp number (9499933619) will be functional and disabled people can send a text if any issue arises with regard to Electoral process.
A meeting was held with disability groups from the city to get data on all voters with disabilities before Pongal holidays.

Smitha Sadhasivan, accessibility consultant for the Election Commission of India said, "I along with officials from disability department and a few representatives from disability groups had a meeting with additional district election officer in which one of the suggestions were to come up with accessible helpline to the deaf groups too. The GCC introduced this WhatsApp number which will cater to all requests made by all people with disabilities with regard to electoral process. It is functional from today. As soon as people raise a request it will be immediately responded to,” she said.
Gnana Bharathi, president of the Spinal Injured Persons Association, said the promised facilities were missing at the polling booths making the voting process very difficult for disabled people.
He said, “We have been asking the Election Commission to publish on its website all the available facilities at the polling booths. However, till date nothing is available to us or the public.”
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