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Gurgaon's Election Forms Face Language Hurdle
30 Jun
Summary
- Non-Hindi speakers in Gurgaon face challenges with Hindi-only election verification forms.
- Officials cite ECI guidelines for Hindi forms, but English versions exist online.
- RWAs and booth-level officers are assisting voters to overcome the language barrier.
In Gurgaon, a significant language barrier has emerged during the ongoing special intensive revision of electoral rolls. Residents from non-Hindi speaking states are struggling to complete verification forms distributed solely in Hindi, creating a point of friction in the city's diverse population. Officials maintain that the Hindi form is standard across Haryana, adhering to Election Commission of India guidelines that mandate regional language forms for broad accessibility.
While officials suggest the online portal offers an English version of the form, many residents have expressed a desire for bilingual options at the distribution points. The difficulty extends to those with basic Hindi literacy who lack the confidence to fill official documents accurately. This has increased the workload for booth-level officers who are now dedicating extra time to guide voters through each section.
To bridge this gap, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have organized help desks and awareness sessions. Volunteers are assisting residents with understanding the requirements and coordinating with election officials. This community effort aims to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised due to language issues, highlighting the collaborative approach to overcome the challenge.
