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| A Braille EVM at the demonstration. Picture by Badrika Nath Das |
Cuttack, April 11: A mock polling was conducted at Ravenshaw University here today to create awareness among visually-impaired voters in the district to increase the voting percentage.
Using Braille ballot papers, a replica of a polling booth was created to help the visually-challenged voters to cast their votes without the assistance of others.
“Using dummy electronic voting machines with serial numbers and ballot papers containing the serial name of the candidate and party have been used to create awareness among the visually-challenged voters,” said collector Girish S.N.
Girish said that adequate steps have been taken by the district administration to make the second phase polls disabled-friendly.
A control room has been set up and a database of all the differently-abled persons has also been created with their contact numbers. Voice SMS is being sent to them thrice a day to inform them about the election updates.
The block-level officers have also been instructed to create awareness about introduction of Braille ballot papers containing information about the candidates contesting polls.
“The idea is to make the entire polling process a disabled-friendly so that they exercise their voting rights without the assistance of others. We have also roped in sign language instructors to help the presiding officers in the district for the deaf and dumb voters,” he added.
Out of 20,000 persons with physical deformities, there are 3,500 visually-impaired voters in the district.
“We are happy that the district administration has initiated such a measure so that we can cast our vote on our own,” said Kapila Swain, a voter.
All the Braille ballot papers containing the information about the candidates and their respective serial numbers are being printed at Ravenshaw University.
Over 8,000 Braille papers are now being printed, which will be distributed to all the 2,171 booths at the district.