Dummy ballot sheets in Braille will be used at polling booths in Ganjam, Khurda, and Cuttack districts to facilitate visually-impaired voters to cast their votes without any attendant. Such a measure is being introduced for the first time.

These dummy Braille ballot sheets will be printed in the only Braille press in Berhampur. According to district election officer and Collector Prem Chandra Chaudhary, as polling will be held in Ganjam district in the first phase on April 10, they have already directed the Braille press to print these dummy ballot papers. Similar orders are expected from Khurda and Cuttack in the next few days as polling will be held there on April 17.

The dummy ballot sheets will contain the serial number and names of candidates in serial order in which they appear in the EVM machine.

The party affiliation of the candidates will be indicated by printing the name of the political party against the name of the candidate.

In case of independent candidate, the word independent will be printed. In the last panel of this dummy ballot sheet none of the above will be printed.

Odia

These Braille sheets will be prepared in Odia and one copy will be supplied to each booth.

Besides, five per cent extra dummy sheets will be printed, said the Collector. After printing, these sheets will be certified by the commissioner of disabilities or his representative.

These dummy Braille ballot sheets will be printed in the only Braille press in Berhampur

SOURCE: The Hindu