Braille EVMs in Asom

Guwahati, Apr 9 (UNI) After assurances by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to provide special facilities to the disabled fell flat in the first phase of Asom polls, special arrangements are being made for blind voters in a particular constituency for the second phase tomorrow.

Special EVMs with Braille facility are being used in Barhampur constituency of Nagaon district on an experimental basis.

This provision has been 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 also 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 is 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.

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

Reports of many polling stations located at places not easily accessiable to physically challenged and aged voters appeared in the media, the CEO, in a post-poll press meet, had assured that such inconveniences would be minimised in the second phase.

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