New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) The Election Commission of India Wednesday announced a series of initiatives to ensure inclusive and barrier-free voting for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and senior citizens in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and bye-elections in eight Assembly Constituencies.
Scheduled for November 6 and 11, these measures aim to facilitate a smooth and respectful voting experience for all. The ECI has instructed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) in Bihar to implement measures that facilitate ease of voting for PwDs and senior citizens.
To this end, all polling stations across the state will be located on ground floors or at road entry levels, equipped with ramps featuring appropriate gradients to accommodate wheelchair users and other mobility-impaired electors. Priority access will be accorded to PwDs and senior citizens for entering polling booths, ensuring a smooth and respectful voting experience.
To assist voters with visual impairments, the Commission has mandated the issuance of Accessible Voter Information Slips embedded with Braille features, provided alongside the standard voter slips. Under Rule 49N of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, visually impaired voters are permitted to be accompanied by a companion to assist in casting their vote. However, to promote independent voting, dummy ballot sheets with Braille inscriptions will be made available at all polling stations. These sheets enable visually impaired electors to cast their votes autonomously using the Braille-enabled Ballot Units of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), without any assistance.
To further aid PwD electors, the ECI has directed the provision of transport facilities on polling day. Electors can request transportation and wheelchair support by registering via the Divyang (Saksham) Module on the ECINET platform. These facilities will be operational at all 90,712 polling stations across Bihar. In a progressive move, the Commission has designated 292 polling stations to be exclusively managed by Persons with Disabilities, underscoring its commitment to inclusivity and empowerment.
These initiatives reflect the Election Commission’s dedication to upholding the democratic rights of all citizens, ensuring that physical disability does not impede participation in the electoral process. The enhanced accessibility measures are expected to significantly improve voter turnout and the overall voting experience for PwDs in Bihar’s upcoming elections.
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