A representative team from a national outfit named Samadrishti Kshamata Vikash evam Anusandhal Mandal (SAKSHAM), led by State secretary Shyam Kumar Dash under the supervision of State Sangrakhyak Dr Badal Kumar Tah, presented a memorandum to district Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan through the District Social Security Officer (DSSO) in the absence of the Collector.  The body urged the Collector to ensure that persons with disabilities (PwDs) have an equal opportunity to exercise their right to vote. This includes providing accessible information about the electoral process, candidates and issues, in formats that are accessible to individuals with different types of disabilities. The Divyangs must be provided transport to the polling booths from their homes and back.   To have accessibility at polling stations the outfit demanded to create an accessible environment at all polling stations to facilitate the smooth participation of persons with disabilities, which includes ramps for wheelchair access, tactile paths, appropriate signage, availability of trained staff to assist persons with disabilities at polling stations. The memorandum they presented mentions that the leaders of the PwD associations may be provided with IDs from the district administration to monitor voting process of PwDs in the booths.   The representatives requested the Collector that SAKSHAM, OVM, RBMS be included in any committee formation related to the upcoming General Election in Rayagada district by which they can contribute valuable insights and perspectives to ensure that the electoral process is truly inclusive.   State vice-president Ramchandra Sahu, Seva Bharatis district secretary Bidya Bhushan Panda, Rayagada district secretary of OVM Jalendra Bacheli, Divyang Mitra, Ajay Rath, Rabindra Patkhandal and Bijay Das were present.

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