Chandigarh, December 3:
To commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disability, the office of Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab today organized a Facebook Live event today.
. Also quiz contests for NGOs working for and Associations of PwDs were organised. All districts held various types of events and the first position holders of all district were honoured at the virtual state level function today.
On November 5, 2020, all Deputy Commissioners of the State were directed to hold various competitions for Persons with Disability (PwD), PwD associations, NGOs, Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) and ELC in charge.
Online quiz competitions were held on Persons with Disability Act, 1995 and Electoral Process in four categories – ELC Clubs, ELC in charge, PwD associations/NGOs. For persons with disability in general public and ELC Clubs competitions like song, dance, skit and mono acting, wheel chair race, poetry recitation and painting competition were held. For visually impaired, music competition and writing competition in Braille were held.
Dr. S. Karuna Raju, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab announced the winners of district level competitions in all the categories. One of its kind drive, the response was highly overwhelming.
Competitions were held total of 118 categories in all 22 districts of Punjab.Top position holders in each event of each district were awarded a cash prize and certificate.
Dr. Raju said, “This was aimed at empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring their inclusiveness and equality in society, encouraging the combined action of multiple stakeholders in order to “leave no one behind”. He congratulated all the participants and winners and hoped their participation in these events would also result in increased engagement with election activity. This augers well for strengthening our democracy.
Mrs.Madhvi kataria ACEO, Punjab, who had chalked out a state-wide programme of activities focussed at enhancing visibility and empowerment of all persons belonging to all major categories of disability
thanked the District Administration, SVEEP nodal officers and all officers and volunteers for their efforts in making the programme a grand success.
CEO, Punjab in its endevour to ensure inclusion of PwDs in the electoral process in true spirit also collaborates with all stakeholders – Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), NGOs, Youth Organisations like NYKS, NSS, NCC and Corporate Houses. Besides enabling barrier free environment, it is also an endeavor to provide accessible information, awareness, facilitation for enhanced participation.
