Para archer Sheetal Devi becomes the national icon for disabled of ECI

On March 16, 2024, Ms. Sheetal Devi was declared the National Disability Icon of the Election Commission of India. Para archer and Arjuna Awardee Sheetal Devi has been declared National Icon in the Disability category (PWD).

• The Election Commission, in collaboration with the BCCI, organized an exhibition cricket match between the IDCA team and the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) team.
• The match was held on March 16, 2024 at the Karnail Singh Stadium in New Delhi.
• DDCA team won the match by 69 runs. Scorecard of both the teams- DDCA 190/5; IDCA – 121/8.
• This match had a message of inclusivity and unity. The message ‘There is nothing like voting, I definitely vote’ resonated loudly throughout the programme.

Sheetal became 'National Disabled Icon' at the age of 17:

• During this exhibition cricket match, Sheetal Devi was declared 'National Disability Icon'.
• On being declared the National Divyangjan Icon, Sheetal Devi said, she is still 17 years old. Next time she will also participate in the election festival as a voter. She expressed gratitude to the Election Commission for creating the PWD icon. Sheetal said, all voters should participate in this festival of elections and become the pride of the country.
• Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajeev Kumar and Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu were present at the event. They congratulated the winning team.
• Famous former Indian cricketer Nikhil Chopra was also invited as a special guest along with officials of DDCA and IDCA.
• This cricket match is an example of the commitment made by CEC Rajeev Kumar towards the Indian Deaf cricket team. When they honored him for making the country proud by winning the T20 Champions Trophy held in UAE on the eve of International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2022.
• The match concluded with a mesmerizing performance by ‘Shining Star Music Band’, a band for visually impaired persons.

Dedicated voter guide launched:

• During the event, the Commission launched a dedicated voter guide for persons with disabilities and senior citizen voters.
• The booklet outlines the essential provisions available to persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
• This includes infrastructural, informational and procedural details at polling stations. It also includes usability and process for postal ballots, facilitating a seamless and enjoyable voting experience.
• These measures follow the major initiatives taken by the Commission towards persons with disabilities.

Objective of organizing such program by ICI:

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is confident that such initiatives would significantly increase voter participation in the upcoming general elections. Especially the participation of youth and disabled people will increase. The Election Commission has carefully designed the guidelines and inclusive measures. The Commission is committed to ensuring democracy.
• The program concluded with a soulful rendition of the national anthem in sign language by the students of the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre.

About Election Commission of India (ECI):

• ECI which is also known as Election Commission. It is an autonomous constitutional body. It conducts union and state election processes in India.
• ECI was established on January 25, 1950 as per the Constitution. 25th January is celebrated as National Voters' Day.
• The Secretariat of the Commission is in New Delhi.
• ECI conducts the elections of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, President and Vice President in the country.
• ECI has no connection with the elections of Panchayats and Municipalities in the states. For this, the Constitution of India makes provision for a separate State Election Commission.

Constitutional provisions for ECI:

• ICI is mentioned in Articles 324-329 of Part XV of the Indian Constitution. It deals with elections and establishes a commission for these matters.

Important Full Forms for Exam:

• Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
• Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA)
• Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA)