CHENNAI: Elderly individuals and persons with disabilities in Tiruporur encountered significant challenges on Thursday as several panchayat union schools and government primary schools in the constituency had minimal wheelchair availability. A visit by TOI to Madayathur, Komanagar, and Thaiyur villages revealed that at least six polling stations had only one wheelchair each, with four of these stations serving more than 1,500 voters. Furthermore, many wheelchairs were placed out of reach for persons with disabilities and far from the entrance.
Voter Experiences
Thirukumaran N of Thaiyur shared his ordeal: "I requested a wheelchair for my mother and had to wait 15 minutes because another person was already using it. The ramp was also very steep, making the experience unpleasant."
Election Staff Response
Election duty staff downplayed the issue, stating that many voters do not prefer wheelchairs and only require assistance walking to the booths. A staff member said, "Every station has 5-10 volunteers who will run to assist people in need."
Official Statement
District election officer and collector S Malathi Helen confirmed that 1,300 wheelchairs were mobilized for 3,070 booths in the constituency. She stated, "Ideally, every station should have at least two chairs. If there is a shortage, those on duty have been instructed to request more. I will check for such crunches and make necessary arrangements."
