Representatives of the visual impaired in Malta have renewed their appeal to the government to amend electoral laws, and allow blind voters to have a person they trust assisting them while casting their vote. Currently, representatives from the Electoral Commission and the political parties assist the blind voters. “But we feel uncomfortable to vote by showing our voting preferences to four unknown persons that we have never met in our life. We deserve our privacy,” Frans Tirchett said on behalf of the visually impaired. He told Sunday newspaper Illum how they have been lobbying for legal amendments for years, but so far, its efforts, most recently a failed 2007 court case, were all in vain.
“Most politicians show sympathy but fear that this amendment will leave room for abuse. It’s true, but this is a question of trust. After all this is practiced elsewhere in Europe.”
But contacted by Illum, Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Rights Franco Mercieca said the government is exploring other options.
Full Article: Government exploring new technology to safeguard blind voters’ privacy – maltatoday.com.mt.
