Organisation : Election Commission of India (ECI)
Facility Name : Saksham App
Country : India
Website : https://www.eci.gov.in/saksham-appp
Contents
What is Saksham App?
The Saksham App is a valuable tool for PwDs to participate in the electoral process. The app is easy to use and provides a number of features that make it easier for PwDs to register to vote, find their polling station, and cast their vote. The Election Commission of India is working towards easing the voter identification and registration process for people with disabilities (PwDs) by offering them customized services. Under a new program, PwDs need to share their essential details with Election Commission via a specially designed app that they can easily download on their Android and iOS phones.
Features of Saksham App
The Saksham App provides a number of features to help PwDs register to vote, find their polling station, and cast their vote.
These features include:
** Voice assistance:The app provides voice assistance for PwDs who are visually impaired.
** Text-to-speech: The app provides text-to-speech for PwDs who are hearing impaired.
** Accessibility features: The app has a number of accessibility features, such as large fonts and high-contrast colors, to make it easier for PwDs to use.
** Information on polling stations: The app provides information on polling stations, including the location of the polling station, the accessibility features available at the polling station, and the contact details of the polling officials.
** Complaints: The app allows PwDs to file complaints about any problems they face while participating in the electoral process.
How To Download Saksham App?
For requesting any electoral services, the first-time voters will have to disclose their name, address, and mobile number along with their State, District & Assembly Constituency while the registered voters will have to provide their EPIC number mentioned on the top of their voter id card. Once they do that, a booth-level officer will visit them at home to fulfill other formalities. After that, it’s not long before Voter ID cards are dispatched to their address. Not only has this app also facilitated the PwDs to request for the wheelchair on the poll day.
Link to download the app:
Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pwd.eci.com.pwdapp&hl=en_IN&gl=US
ios:
https://apps.apple.com/in/app/saksham-eci/id1497864568
Voters with Disabilities
The Commission is committed for building an equal access framework for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) supported by the fundamentals of responsiveness, respect and dignity to enhance elector confidence among them; and support initiatives for improved service offerings and enhancing their electoral participation. Electors / Voters having one among the 21 disabilities as mentioned by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 are termed as voters with disabilities.
As of now, PwD voters are enrolled in electoral roll in following four categories:
** Visual impairment
** Speech & hearing disability
** Locomotor disability
** Other
A PwD voter can register in any of the above categories by submitting Form 6 through online registration or submitting form at voter service centre or through Saksham ECI Application
Initiatives by the Commission for PwDs:
The Commission has taken various interventions from time to time to facilitate the elections for persons with disabilities.
Some of the initiatives taken are:-
** Mapping of all the Persons with Disabilities polling station wise
** All Polling Stations are to be situated on the ground floor
** PwD friendly facilities under AMF
** Separate Queue for PwDs
** Optional home voting facility
** Voter EPICS/Slips in Braille
** Braille Features on EVMs
** Wheel Chairs and Ramps with Proper Gradient
** Free Transport facility with Pick and Drop Facility