Kanpur Election Officials Take Proactive Steps for Elderly Voter Inclusion
In a heartening display of administrative sensitivity, election officials in Kanpur's 210-Bithoor Assembly constituency have undertaken special measures to ensure that senior citizens are not excluded from the democratic process. During the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) programme, authorities demonstrated remarkable commitment by personally visiting the homes of elderly voters who faced mobility challenges.
Personal Visits to Overcome Physical Barriers
The initiative came to light during hearings for unmapped voters held at the Town Area Bithoor auditorium within the Municipal Council office premises. Officials discovered that 76-year-old Shivani Chatterjee was unable to attend the scheduled hearing due to her inability to walk. Recognizing her predicament, Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) Bithoor and Tehsildar Sadar Vinay Dwivedi took immediate action.
Instead of simply noting her absence, the officials visited Chatterjee's residence personally. There, they completed the entire hearing process on the spot, uploading all required forms along with her photograph to ensure her proper inclusion in the electoral rolls.
Extending the Gesture to Another Senior Citizen
In a similar compassionate gesture, the election team extended their efforts to assist 93-year-old Gopa Mukherjee. Her advanced age had made it practically impossible for her to reach the designated hearing centre. Understanding her situation, officials visited her home and completed all necessary formalities at her residence.
This proactive approach ensured that physical limitations did not become an insurmountable barrier to her democratic participation. Both senior citizens were commended by the election team for their voter awareness and commitment to exercising their democratic rights despite their age-related challenges.
Official Perspective on the Initiative
ERO Bithoor Assembly and SDM Sadar Anubhav Singh emphasized that the Special Intensive Revision programme aims to achieve more than just routine electoral roll updates. The broader objective is to ensure comprehensive inclusion of all eligible voters, particularly those who might be excluded due to age, illness, or disability.
This initiative represents a significant step toward making the electoral process more accessible and inclusive. By bringing administrative services directly to citizens who cannot access them through conventional means, election officials are setting a commendable precedent for voter outreach and engagement.
The efforts in Kanpur's Bithoor constituency highlight how administrative flexibility and human empathy can work together to strengthen democratic participation. Such measures not only facilitate voter registration but also build public trust in electoral processes and governance systems.
