The electoral process in India has faced chronic challenges that affect voters with Disabilities (PwD) and compel them to call on the government to make voting more accessible, as they make urgent demands. In spite of the legal requirements by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016 and the recommendations of the Election Commission, most of them report underdeveloped ramps, Braille signage and voter assistance facilities at polling stations. With the forthcoming major state elections in India, PwD groups are also pressing to have systematic changes to make sure that no voter is left behind.

​Current Accessibility Gaps

In 2024, more than 2.68 crore PwD voters are registered on the roll lists, but they are challenged by high stairs that lack ramps, long distances to the polling booths, and the lack of tactile paths to be used by the blind. People in wheelchairs have to travel in muddy lanes or through narrow doors; the deaf have to do without sign language interpreters. In 2025, the National Centre of Promotion of Employment of Disabled People (NCPEDP) surveyed 1,200 people with a survey revealing 62 per cent experienced barriers, with ruralareas being the worst affected with 85 per cent lacking basic aids. City stations are more lucky, but they also lack provisions of companion scribes to voters with intellectual disabilities.

Legal Framework and Weaknesses.

RPwD Act requires 4-percent quota in the availability of the infrastructure to the public, ECI vision 2020-plan is offering ramps on every booth, priority line, and Braille on the EVMs. Model Polling stations are required through the model code. But ground reality is lagging: 40 per cent of all booths meet the ECI audit 2024. Family support is not counted in companion voter limits (one helper); EVM ramps are frequently too steep (a gradient of 1:12 is ideal). COVID increased the voter slip of some of the digital votes, whereas PwD-specific apps are still glitchy.

​Voter Voices and Advocacy

Such activists as Armaan Ali, a wheelchair user in Delhi, narrates the experience of bringing up ballots up the stairs: “Democracy must not require physical heroism. PwD forums made 50+ complaints using cVIGIL app in the Maharashtra 2024 polls, which led to last-minute fixes. Others, such as Disability Rights India Foundation (DRIF), pressurise to demand pre-poll auditing training for 10 lakh booth officers. They require audio EVM directions, bigger buttons and transport vans- which have been successfully piloted in Kerala. Youth PwD through #AccessibleElections promotes through X, with a goal of 1 million impressions.

​ECI Initiatives and Gaps

The Svabhimaan scheme of ECI registers PwD voters, reaching 90 percent coverage. The Saksham app provides fake polls; 5,000 model stations in 2024 were bragging about Braille and volunteers. However, there are differences in implementation: Bihar has 25 percent compliance vs Gujarat at 70 percent. The lack of budget and incompetent personnel are the obstacles to scale-up.

The Way Ahead to Nonpartisan Polling.

Specialists encourage compulsory third-party verification, full ramp in 2027, and smart mapping of booths. Several states, such as Tamil Nadu, have the most successful home voting applications for PwD/seniors (80 and above). Those standards could be standardised by national convergence-ECI with MSJE. Cramer CSR ramps are provided by private companies; CSR funds have reached 500 crore to be accessible.

PwD voters reflect the diversity in India; they should not be excluded in favour of the legitimacy of mandates. Timely changes will make all voices heard, and democracy will have a stronger basis.