The Election Commission will issue directions to State ChiefElectoral Officer M.N. Vidyashankar to ensure that all electronicvoting machines (EVMs) to be used in the Assembly elections in theState have a Braille option. Over 50,000 EVMs will be used for pollingin the State.

Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami told The Hindu that EVMs with Braille option had been used in a few States.

“It should not be a problem to ensure that Braille number strips arepasted on the EVMs to be used in the polling stations in Karnataka aswell,” he said.

His reaction came following a petition by a delegation of KarnatakaAngavikalara Rajya Okkoota on Wednesday to Mr. Vidyashankar seeking aBraille option in the EVMs, and ramps for the disabled at pollingbooths.

“Now that this matter has been brought to our notice, suitabledirections will be issued. Visually impaired people need not bedependant on any assistance while voting,” Mr. Gopalaswami said.

On the demand for ramps to enable disabled persons to get intopolling stations on their own, he said, “Polling stations will haveramps. This is mandatory.”

N.P. Ramachandra, Ramanagara district unit secretary of the okkootawho met Mr. Vidyashankar, said that disabled persons were usuallymanhandled by agents of political parties.

“It hardly costs Rs. 5 to insert Braille features on the EVMs. Butit helps a visually challenged person to be independent of others whilemaking a choice,” he said.