Bihar Implements Braille Ballot Papers and Accessibility Measures for Visually-Impaired Voters in Upcoming Elections

The Election Commission has announced that visually-impaired voters in Bihar will receive dummy ballot papers and voter slips in Braille format during the upcoming elections.

In Patna, the electoral body confirmed that ballot papers attached to electronic voting machines (EVMs) at polling stations will also be available in Braille.

According to the Election Commission, visually-impaired voters will be provided with both regular voter information slips and ones in Braille, containing all necessary polling station details.

The Commission stated, "Visually impaired voters can independently cast their votes using the Braille facility on EVM ballot units without requiring assistance from companions."

This initiative continues the Election Commission's previous efforts to make voting accessible through Braille ballot papers.

Under Rule 49N of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, visually-impaired individuals are permitted to bring a companion to assist them in casting their vote at polling stations.

The EC has instructed that appropriate transportation facilities must be available for persons with disabilities at all polling stations on election day. PwD (persons with disabilities) voters can also request transportation and wheelchair services by registering through the Divyang (Saksham) Module on ECINET.

These accessibility measures will be implemented across all 90,712 polling stations throughout Bihar.

In a further inclusive step, 292 polling stations will be exclusively managed by persons with disabilities.

The Bihar elections are scheduled for November 6 and 11, with vote counting to take place on November 14.