ECI announces Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, ensures accessibility with ramps, Braille ballots, priority voting, and transport for PwD and senior voters.
On October 6, 2025, the Election Commission of India (ECI) declared when the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar and the bye-elections in 8 ACs would take place. The Commission has told the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to make sure that people with disabilities (PwDs) can vote in the elections. All polling places in Bihar will be on the ground floor or at the road entrance, and they will have ramps with the right slope for people with disabilities and seniors in wheelchairs. Also, it has been ordered that people with disabilities and seniors get to go to polling places first.
He noted that to help people with visual impairments, the Commission has ordered that Accessible Voter Information Slips (AVIS) be sent out with the usual Voter Information Slips (VIS). According to Rule 49N of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, people who can’t see can bring someone with them to the Polling Station to vote for them.
He also indicated that all polling places will provide mock ballot sheets in Braille. This sheet lets any voter who can’t see cast their vote on their own utilizing the Braille feature on Ballot Units of EVMs without needing help from a friend. The Commission has said that there should be a good way for PwDs to get to the polling place on the day of the election. PwD voters can also ask for transportation and a wheelchair by signing up for the ECINET Divyang (Saksham) Module.
These services would be offered at all 90,712 polling places in Bihar. Also, as part of another program, people with disabilities will be in charge of 292 polling places.