Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka

Nirvachana Nilaya, Sheshadri Road, Bangalore - 560 001.

--------------------------------------------Date: 24-04-2013.

Press Release.
Facilities provided to electors with disability. The Election Commission is ensuring the following facilities to the electors with disability in the forth coming Karnataka Assembly Elections: 1. The differently abled electors are given priority for entering the polling station, without having to wait in the queue for other electors and all necessary assistant as may be required shall be provided to them at the polling station. 2. Full facility shall be provided for such electors to take their wheel chairs inside the polling station. 3. In the polling stations where permanent ramps have not been provided, temporary ramps shall be provided for the purpose. 4. As per the provisions of rule 49N of the Conduct of Elections rules 1 961, a blind/infirm/visually impaired elector shall be permitted to take an assistant to cast the vote, if he or she so wishes. 5. Electors with speech and hearing impairment shall be given special care as in the case of other differently abled person. 6. The facility of Braille signage is being available on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the visually impaired voters to feel the numbers and press an appropriate button to cast the vote. 7. There shall be separate queues and special arrangements for persons with disability at polling stations. 8. At the training classes for the polling personnel, they have been sensitized about the special needs of the differently abled electors, for courteous behaviour towards them and for providing necessary support to them at the polling stations.