Soon, voter enrollment form to come in braille

Ever hear of an application forms for voter-list enrollment in braille?

As part of its accessible election drive, the Election Commission (EC) will soon launch braille versions of electoral list related activities including the application form for enrollment.

The measure will be executed on the National Voters’ Day, January 25, in West Bengal’s South Dinajpur district.

“Till now, the visually-challenged voters had to depend on others to fill up the voter list enrollment form and forms for corrections in voter identity cards. With the launch of braille enabled versions of such forms they will be able to fill the forms by themselves,” a senior EC official told DH.

He also said that the step is being taken on a pilot basis and its success will determine the project's implementation on a large scale.

The EC’s drive to make elections more accessible to specially-abled voters started last year with the launch of braille enabled voter identity cards as a pilot project and since then its use has been expanded across the country.

Another unique initiative for specially-abled voters was launched in Bengal in May last year during the byelection for the Maheshtala Assembly constituency in South 24 Paraganas district.

Voter slips in braille and instruction boards for specially-abled voters was launched.

The EC has also taken several measures such as making polling booths more accessible to the specially-abled by incorporating facilities including ramps for wheelchairs and dedicated staff for assistance.

“The steps are not just to make elections more accessible to the visually-challenged voters but also to send out a social message of inclusiveness,” the official said.