The State Election Commission has announced that Braille markings have been added to the right side of ballot units, enabling visually impaired voters to cast their ballots independently in the upcoming local body elections.

District Election Officers have been instructed to organise special facilities at polling stations to support visually impaired, physically differently abled, elderly, and ill voters. These voters will be allowed priority entry without waiting in queues. All polling stations will be equipped with ramps, along with drinking water and seating facilities to ensure accessibility and comfort.

Voters with visual or other physical challenges may bring a helper aged 18 or above into the voting compartment, but only after the Presiding Officer confirms that assistance is necessary to identify symbols or press the voting button. In such cases, indelible ink will be applied to the voter’s left index finger and the helper’s right index finger.

Candidates and polling agents are barred from serving as helpers, and illiteracy alone will not qualify a voter for assistance. A single person cannot act as a helper for more than one voter at the same polling station.

Helpers must submit a declaration to the Presiding Officer in the prescribed form, confirming that they will maintain the secrecy of the vote and that they have not assisted any other voter on that day. The declaration will be sealed and forwarded to the Returning Officer.