Dehra Dun: Paving way for the visually
impaired to have a decisive role in the country`s democratic
process, the Election Commission is encouraging use of EVMs
having braille signs here in Uttarakhand where polling is on
to elect the state`s third Assembly.
Unlike the 2007 elections when only braille EVMs were
introduced, these multi-purpose machines can be used both by
visually-challenged and normal persons alike.
With this, it has now become possible for the literate
visually challenged persons to cast their votes without any
help.
Pooja Chaudhary (20), a visually impaired student
pursuing a computer course at National Institute for Visually
Handicapped (NIVH), exercised her franchise for the first time
using the EVM having braille signs.
Despite facing a little bit difficulty in casting the
vote, an elated Pooja said "I did not get any training about
using the EVM having signs of candidates contesting. But
eventually, I was able to cast my vote. I am very happy."
Apart from Pooja, as many as 25 other visually challenged
voters also exercised their franchise using these EVMs at the
polling booth constituted at NIVH.
PTI
