Lothian MSP Jeremy Balfour has welcomed fellow MSP’s unanimous backing for an electronic voting system at future elections for people with disabilities.
The Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP had worked closely with SNP Minister Graeme Dey to pass amendments to the Elections Reform Bill and also chairs the Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Disability.
In a vote in Parliament, there was cross-party support in favour of piloting an electronic voting system for people with disabilities in future elections, making it easier for those with visual impairments to cast their vote without the help of someone else.
Under the current system, people who are blind or partially sighted often have to take someone into the polling booth with them - a system that the High Court of Justice has deemed a “a parody of the election process” as it removes individuals’ ability to vote privately and independently.
Commenting Jeremy Balfour MSP said:
“The unanimous vote in favour of piloting an electronic voting scheme for disabled people is a huge step forward in providing inclusion and equality within the electoral system for people with visual impairments.
“I am only sad that such a system has not been introduced before now, but I hope that this will be successful and become a permanent feature within elections.
“I want to give particular credit to, and congratulate, RNIB Scotland who have been the driving force behind the introduction of these amendments.”
Sight loss charity RNIB Scotland who were involved in penning some of the amendments that were adopted yesterday have also welcomed Holyrood’s decision. RNIB Scotland director, James Adams, said:
"We welcome the decision by the Scottish Parliament to look at alternative methods of voting in elections. It's simply not acceptable that people can leave their polling station unsure whether they've correctly voted for the candidate of their choice or feel obliged to ask someone else for help."
