23/03/2026
OPEN LETTER: AN APPEAL FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN DIGNITY FOR EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES IN WEST BENGAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION 2026
Date: March 23, 2026
From: The Members,
All Bengal Blind Teachers' Association
Baidyabati, Hooghly, West Bengal - 712222.
(Representing the collective voice and rights of all employees with disabilities)
To: The Chief Election Commissioner,
Election Commission of India,
Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi - 110001.
Subject: Urgent intervention to stop the harassment and forced deployment of severely disabled personnel for Election Duty.
Sir,
We, the members of the ‘All Bengal Blind Teachers' Association’, Baidyabati, Hooghly, are issuing this open letter on behalf of all employees with disabilities across West Bengal. As the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Election 2026 is being conducted under the direct authority of the Election Commission of India (ECI), we seek your immediate protection against the systemic harassment and mental agony being inflicted upon those who are physically most vulnerable.
For individuals with severe or 100% disabilities, life is a daily struggle for dignity. It is deeply distressing that every election season, these employees—including those who are completely visually impaired or have severe orthopedic challenges—are heartlessly drafted for election duty.
We wish to bring the following grave concerns to your immediate notice:
* Administrative Negligence and Harassment: Educational and Government institutions consistently mark the 'PwD' status of their staff during data submission. However, District Election Cells repeatedly ignore these records and issue duty letters to severely disabled individuals. When relief is sought, officials often blame the institutions for "improper documentation," even when proof of correct submission is provided. This forced cycle of appeals is a form of mental torture for persons with disabilities.
* Violation of the RPWD Act, 2016: ECI Instruction No. 464/PwD/EP(AS)/2020/768-803 (dated March 24, 2021) mandates that all election processes must strictly comply with "The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016". The Act and the ECI’s own manual (Section 3.6.1) state that physically challenged persons should not be deployed for duty.
* Defiance of Judicial Orders: In the case of Sikshanuragi United Association vs. Union of India (WPA(P)/313/2023), the Hon'ble High Court at Calcutta clearly observed that there is a statutory bar against deploying physically challenged persons as polling personnel. Ignoring this is a direct violation of the law.
* A Plea for Humanity: A person who requires constant assistance for basic daily needs cannot be expected to manage the rigors of a polling booth. Forcing them into such roles is not only a violation of their legal rights but a gross insult to their social dignity and human rights.
Our Earnest Prayer:
Since the 2026 Assembly Election is under your absolute control, we pray that you issue an immediate, stern directive to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal and all District Election Officers to stop this harassment. Please ensure that the randomization software automatically excludes all PwD personnel so that no employee with a disability is forced to run from office to office to prove their vulnerability.
Let the democratic festival of India not become a season of despair for its specially-abled citizens.
Sincerely,
The Members,
All Bengal Blind Teachers' Association
Baidyabati, Hooghly - 712222.
