Election Commission forms panels to improve communication

The two sub-committees comprising election officials and representatives of disability rights groups were formed under the poll panel’s National Advisory Committee on Accessible Elections (NACAE) as per the recommendations of the committee during its November 24 meeting.

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The panel would study all the barriers before differently-abled persons covered under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

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THE ELECTION Commission of India has recently set up two sub-committees to study ways to improve accessibility features of its websites, apps and other communications, and to make registration of persons with disabilities as electors easier.

The two sub-committees comprising election officials and representatives of disability rights groups were formed under the poll panel’s National Advisory Committee on Accessible Elections (NACAE) as per the recommendations of the committee during its November 24 meeting. The minutes of the meeting, which were circulated Friday, said the sub-committees would submit their reports to the EC’s special officer for Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) and NACAE chairperson Ranbir Singh by December 31. Singh would then place the reports before the commission for “perusal”.

The sub-committee on accessible communication, headed by Rajasthan Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta, would give recommendations on improving accessibility features for EC’s apps, websites, SVEEP content, application forms and all other documents used for registration, the minutes said. The panel is also tasked with assessing the communication requirements of differently-abled voters and giving a comprehensive framework for accessible communication.

The second sub-committee, chaired by West Bengal CEO Aariz Aftab, would study the inclusion of assistance-dependent persons with disabilities and the registration process for them as electors. The panel would study all the barriers before differently-abled persons covered under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Damini Nath

Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. Expertise Key Coverage Areas: Damini Nath currently specializes in reporting on two crucial beats: Housing and Urban Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis and reporting on India's urban development, policy, and housing issues. Election Commission (EC): Offering authoritative coverage of electoral processes, policies, and the functioning of India's constitutional body responsible for conducting elections. Professional Background: Her extensive experience includes roles as a reporter and sub-editor, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the journalistic process from fieldwork to final production. Previous Role: Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she served as a dedicated reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau, where her reporting portfolio included: Culture Social Justice Housing and Urban Affairs The Election Commission beat (a consistent area of focus). Trustworthiness Damini Nath's decade-plus career at two of India's most respected and authoritative news institutions, The Indian Express and The Hindu, underscores her commitment to factual, impartial, and high-quality reporting, establishing her as a trusted and credible source for news on urban governance and electoral matters. ... Read More

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