For the first time, the Tamil Nadu elections will have exclusive polling booths allocated for physically challenged, including visually impaired persons.

The new initiative from the Election Commission of India (ECI) came against the backdrop of several representations from various associations of the differently-abled persons living in the state, who gave their innovative suggestions.

“Though all the 63,118 booths in the state will have proper ramps, following several requests, the Commission has planned to set up exclusive polling stations for differently-abled persons if that particular zone has more than 100 physically challenged people,” a senior official from the ECI told Deccan Herald on Sunday.

“At present, we are verifying the data of the differently-abled people for establishing exclusive booths,” he said, adding a braille form of election manifestos will also be available for visually-impaired. “A permanent braille to be etched in the ballot is already suggested,” the official said.

According to him, several volunteers will also be deployed in those booths to help the differently-abled people by accompanying them to polling booth.

In addition, the ECI has planned to take measures of transporting differently-abled persons to polling stations in hilly areas, allow their vehicles near to the gate of the polling stations.

The ECI is also planning to implement the differently-abled friendly exclusive polling booths to the neighbouring Puducherry too.

senior official from ECI: At present, we are verifying the data of the differently-abled people for establishing exclusive booths...a braille form of election manifestos will also be available for visually-impaired