Y.S. RANA , Hamirpur—Nov 1—Narinder Chauhan, chief electoral officer, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla disclosed that 1162 visually impaired electorates of the state registered as voters would exercise their franchise out of total electorates 46,08,359 in the November 4 assembly elections. Out of 1162 visually impaired 364 are 100 per cent visually impaired.
He further stated that among all the 12 districts of the state, in district Kangra has the highest number of visually impaired electorates (415) followed by Shimla (176). District Mandi has 144; Hamirpur 112; Kullu 95; Una 70; Bilaspur 29 and Sirmour 99 visually impaired electorates.
Mr Chauhan said that the election commission had introduced Braille signage features in the electronic voting machine (EVM) to facilitate visually impaired electorates to cast their votes without the help of anyone. Out of total 1162 visually impaired electorates only 36 electorates were Braille literate, he added.
He further said that all Presiding Officers in the State would be provided with Braille Ballot Papers sheets to assist Braille literate voters.