Tiruppur witnessed a rise in voter turnout in the recently concluded Assembly election, aided by Election Commission awareness drives. However, allegations have emerged that inadequate basic facilities and poor planning at some polling stations caused severe hardship for senior citizens.
Kadhar Batcha, president of the Tiruppur District Consumer Protection Association, said polling booths set up at the AKR Academy school campus in Thirumuruganpoondi under the Avinashi constituency lacked proper arrangements. He alleged that his wife, aged over 70, slipped on a smooth ramp and suffered a leg fracture, leaving her dependent on a wheelchair.
He further claimed that the absence of a separate queue for senior citizens forced even voters above 80 to wait for nearly two hours in the sun. According to him, there was no protected drinking water facility inside the polling premises, and no chairs or benches were provided for those standing in line.
He urged the education department and district administration to ensure ramps in schools and public buildings are non-slip and fitted with proper handholds. He also demanded action against officials for failing to safeguard the dignity of elderly voters, and called on the district administration to review CCTV footage and address the issue, warning that a formal complaint would otherwise be filed with the State and Central Election Commissions.
