Braille Ballot Papers, Voter Slips for Visually-Impaired in Bihar Polls
Accessible polling stations and transport facilities planned across all 90,712 booths
- EC to provide Braille ballot papers and voter slips in Bihar polls
- Visually-impaired voters can cast votes independently using EVM Braille
- PwD voters to get transport and wheelchair facilities at all polling stations
- 292 polling booths to be fully managed by persons with disabilities
GG News Bureau
Patna, 15th Oct: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced several measures to ensure inclusive voting for visually-impaired voters in Bihar’s upcoming Assembly elections, including dummy ballot papers and voter slips in Braille.
According to the EC, ballot papers pasted on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will also be available in Braille at polling stations to facilitate independent voting. “Any visually-impaired voter can use this sheet to cast their vote independently using Braille facility on ballot units of EVMs,” the Commission said.
Voters will receive both regular and Braille voter information slips containing details of their polling stations. The initiative, the Commission said, aims to promote self-reliant voting for persons with visual disabilities without needing assistance from companions — a provision otherwise allowed under Rule 49N of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.
To enhance accessibility, the EC has directed authorities to ensure transport and wheelchair facilities at all 90,712 polling stations across Bihar. Voters with disabilities can request these services through the Divyang (Saksham) Module of ECINET.
In another inclusive step, the EC announced that 292 polling stations in the state will be exclusively managed by persons with disabilities, setting an example of empowerment and participation.
Bihar will vote in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.
