The district administration is taking every measure to ensure a smooth voting experience for the 9,650 differently-abled voters of Ranchi parliamentary seat.

Ranchi DC cum returning officer Rai Mahimapat Ray on Friday released a 20-second video along with deaf-and-mute expert and master trainer Hemant Kumar where they can be seen urging hearing and speech impaired voters in sign language to exercise their franchise on May 6.

“The man in the video may be hearing and speech impaired, but is extremely talented. He is a native of Ranchi who, on behalf of the Election Commission of India, will train presiding officers and first and second polling officers on some specific sign languages to guide and assist voters. We have requested all our valued voters to join the festival of democracy,” Ray said.

Out of the 9,650 differently-abled voters in Ranchi, around 900 have been identified as hearing and speech impaired.

The district administration is planning to provide Braille-enabled election booklets to visually challenged voters. The brochure will contain basic information on the voting method and addresses of the polling centres.

A dummy electronic voting machine with serial numbers and names of the candidate and party symbols would be kept at polling booths to help visually challenged voters identify the candidate of their choice while pressing the button of the actual EVM.

“Wheelchairs will be provided to those who can’t walk. Differently-abled voters can take the help of a friend or family member while voting,” Ray added. In Ranchi, 22 lakh people will cast their votes at 2,700 booths.