Braille EVMs for the blind in Asom

Nagaon, Apr 4 (UNI) Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being used for the first time throughout Asom for an Assembly poll. With this first, another first was ushered in.

Special EVMs with Braille facility was being used in Barhampur constituency of this district, which goes to the hustings in the second phase on April 10.

This special provision was made for the students and teachers of Barhampur Blind school. The school for the visually impaired also has blind teachers.

In earlier polls when ballot paper was used, special Braille ballot papers were printed for them. This time too the Election Commission has ensured that the blind voters can exercise their franchise without any difficulty.

The Barhampur Blind School was set up under the aegis of an NGO, Shankar Mission. Provincialised in February this year, it was the first blind school in the state.

Election Officer of Nagaon J B Akka informed that special training to polling officials and blind voters had been given regarding the use of the Braille EVMs.

Nagaon is the home constituency of former Chief Minister Praffula Kumar Mahanta, from where he had never lost an election.

UNI XC-SG SP SS1358