From Home Voting to Webcasting: ECI Unveils Accessibility Measures for 2026 State Polls

The Election Commission of India has outlined a series of measures aimed at ensuring inclusive and transparent elections as the country prepares for assembly polls in five states in 2026.

The states are: Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The Commission emphasised that special arrangements will be made to ensure that senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) are able to participate in the electoral process with ease.

According to the Commission's presentation, polling stations will be made fully accessible, with booths located on the ground floor wherever possible to reduce mobility barriers. Facilities such as ramps, wheelchairs and trained volunteers will be available at polling stations to assist voters who require support. Senior citizens and PwD voters will also be given priority in voting queues, along with dedicated seating arrangements and benches to ensure comfort while waiting to cast their vote.

To further improve accessibility, the Commission has integrated the "Saksham" module in the ECINET mobile application, allowing PwD voters to request facilities at polling stations in advance. In addition, optional home voting through postal ballot will be available for eligible voters who may not be able to travel to polling stations. Authorities will also provide transport facilities in certain cases to help voters reach polling booths.

On the administrative front, the Commission said around 25 lakh officials are expected to be deployed to manage the electoral exercise across the five states. In a move aimed at strengthening transparency and monitoring, the Commission has also planned 100 percent webcasting from polling booths, enabling real-time observation of the voting process.

These measures, the Commission said, are intended to ensure that the elections remain accessible, transparent and participatory, reinforcing the democratic principle that every eligible voter must have an equal opportunity to exercise their franchise.

Source: Election Commission of India