Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has stated that it will implement procedures to enable visually impaired voters to mark their ballots independently in the presidential election, in accordance with the new rules.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ratified the third amendment bill to the Elections General Act, which proposed solutions to allow visually impaired persons to cast their votes by themselves to maintain secrecy. The bill allows for the use of a plastic template sheet over the ballot paper with boxes cut out to make it easier for visually impaired persons to cast their vote. It also allows them to use a transparent plastic device that can be inserted into the ballot paper or temporarily attached to the top of the ballot paper.
The bill further stated that ECM will be responsible for formulating policies and making the necessary arrangements to enable visually impaired persons to use plastic templates. Visually impaired persons are also required to place their ballot paper in the ballot box with the paper folded so as not to compromise the secrecy of the vote.
Vice President of ECM Ismail Habeeb said that enabling the visually impaired to vote with the use of plastic template sheets is an improvement in the electoral system and an important step towards guaranteeing the right to vote for everyone. He assured that the electoral body is prepared to implement the new procedures.