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Pushes for Truly Disability-Friendly Polling Booths and Websites
A petition seeking better access for voters with disabilities has culminated in a clear directive from the : temporary wooden planks will no longer suffice. Public buildings and schools routinely used as polling stations must now feature permanent ramps built to national standards, while the ’s digital platforms must become genuinely usable by everyone.
The Heart of the Dispute
Vaishnavi Jayakumar approached the court under after observing persistent gaps during recent elections. Although temporary ramps appear days before polling, they often prove unstable, steep, or poorly placed, leaving wheelchair users and others with mobility impairments struggling. The petitioner also highlighted that election-related information on official websites remains difficult to navigate for persons with visual or other disabilities. She sought a mandamus requiring strict adherence to the “Assured Minimum Facilities” document and the .
What the Authorities Said
The , represented by standing counsel, pointed to multiple circulars and the comprehensive guidelines dated . These already mandate permanent ramps with a maximum gradient of 1:12, priority entry, wheelchair availability, Braille-enabled EVMs, and accessible transport. Counsel maintained that permanent ramps are being pursued wherever feasible and that an audit of the ECI website and voter portal has been requested from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to ensure compliance with GIGW 3.0 and WCAG 2.1 standards.
The and the , impleaded suo motu, assured the court that Chief Secretaries had convened meetings with district officials and that instructions on ramps and other facilities were being implemented.
Court’s Reasoning and Reliance on Precedent
The bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan traced the evolution of disability rights from the 1995 Act through India’s ratification of the UN Convention to the . expressly obliges the and State Election Commissions to make polling stations accessible and electoral materials understandable.
The court drew strength from the ’s ruling in , which had already directed permanent ramps in public buildings used as polling stations. Despite repeated ECI letters from and , and fresh guidelines in , the judges noted that “in most of the educational institutions and public buildings which are routinely notified as polling booths during every election, still, permanent ramps are not available.”
Key Observations from the Bench
The judgment records several pointed observations:
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“There is a mandatory duty cast on the part of the to ensure that all the polling stations are provided with sufficient infrastructure and facilities, easily accessible by the persons with disabilities.”
“Such permanent ramps would also be economically more viable as compared to setting up temporary ramps at each election.”
On digital access, the bench acknowledged ongoing efforts but stressed the need for expeditious completion.
The Final Directions
Allowing the writ petition, the court issued two crisp directions:
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Respondents must ensure permanent ramps are constructed in routinely notified polling booths—especially schools and public buildings—in strict compliance with the .
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The shall take expeditious and effective steps to complete the process of making its websites easily accessible and usable by persons with disabilities.
No costs were awarded, and connected miscellaneous petitions were closed.
This ruling sends a strong message that accessibility in elections is a continuing obligation, not a last-minute arrangement. With the next cycle of elections approaching, the onus now lies squarely on election authorities and building custodians to convert judicial words into concrete ramps and inclusive digital platforms.
