By IANS
Shimla : For the first time in India, a polling station has been set up exclusively for leprosy patients to cast their votes in the Dec 19 assembly elections, according to officials.
“The Sanawar assembly polling station is being set up exclusively for leprosy patients who live at the adjoining leprosy home,” said Manisha Nanda, chief electoral officer of the state, here Monday.
The booth is near the resort town of Kasauli, some 80 km from here and falls in the Kasauli reserved assembly seat.
“For their convenience doctors treating the leprosy patients at the leprosy home will be deputed as poll officials in the polling station,” said Nanda.
The initiative to create special polling booth for leprosy patients was taken by Nanda and the Election Commission gave its nod immediately.
However, there is no exact figure, of how many leprosy patients here are eligible to cast their ballots.
“I am looking forward to casting my vote for the first time in my life,” said Jubbal Singh, a leprosy patient.
The second and last phase of voting for the 65 assembly seats will take place on Dec 19. Counting starts Dec 28.