The Election Commission has started distributing Voter Information Slips (VIS) for the assembly polls of Tamil Nadu and Phase-I of West Bengal which will go to polls on the 23rd of April. In a statement, the poll body said that VIS contains voters’ details, Polling Station location, date and time of poll and a snapshot of the polling station map along with a list of Do’s and Don’ts to guide the voters on poll day. It also has a QR code that helps the voters in searching and matching of elector details. The VIS helps in reducing crowding at polling stations and helps in faster polling.

The Commission had earlier issued instructions to make VIS more readable and accessible for the convenience of voters. Accordingly, the part number and the serial number of the voter have been made clearly legible on the VIS for ease of identification and use. VIS are being distributed by the BLOs concerned personally to the voters by visiting door to door. Distribution has to be completed at least 5 days before the day of poll to all enrolled electors. The poll body said that the VIS should only be in the languages in which Electoral Roll is published for the assembly constituency.

It will also issue Accessible Voter Information Slips with Braille Features for Persons with Visual Impairment or Blind, over and above the regular VIS to ensure wholesome constructive participation and active engagement of Persons with Disabilities.