ECI Ensures Accessible Voting for Persons with Disabilities in Upcoming Bihar Polls
To aid voters with visual impairments, the ECI will issue Accessible Voter Information Slips featuring Braille along with the standard slips.
New Delhi, October 15: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed all Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to ensure full accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the upcoming General Election to the Bihar Legislative Assembly and bye-elections in eight assembly constituencies across the states.
Under the new measures, all 90,712 polling stations in Bihar will be located on ground floors or at road-entry level, equipped with ramps of proper gradient for easy wheelchair access. PwD voters and senior citizens will receive priority entry at polling booths to minimize waiting time.
To aid voters with visual impairments, the ECI will issue Accessible Voter Information Slips featuring Braille along with the standard slips. Additionally, dummy ballot sheets in Braille will be provided at every polling station, enabling visually impaired voters to independently cast their votes on the EVMs without requiring assistance.
The Commission reaffirmed that under Rule 49N of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, visually impaired electors may be accompanied by a companion if they choose to.
Further, the ECI has mandated the availability of transport and wheelchair facilities at polling stations. PwD voters can request these services by registering on the Divyang (Saksham) Module of ECINET.
In a landmark inclusion effort, 292 polling stations across Bihar will be exclusively managed by Persons with Disabilities, reflecting the ECI’s commitment to empowering differently-abled citizens and ensuring a more inclusive democratic process.
