Pune Elections Introduce In-Person Voting for Seniors with Accessibility Measures at Polling Stations

For the upcoming Pune municipal elections, the Election Commission has discontinued home voting for senior citizens above 85, requiring them to vote in person. To support senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and mothers with young children, special facilities such as ramps, wheelchair access, priority entry, and basic amenities have been arranged at 400 polling stations. However, some voters with disabilities report uneven implementation of accessibility measures, citing challenges like inadequate ramps and facilities, and call for improved planning and support to ensure inclusive voting.