A survey has revealed that only 19% of blind voters and 46% of partially sighted voters were able to vote independently and in secret under the current system.
Action to improve the voting experience was urgent, according to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), which also called for the government to introduce new ways to vote.
Accessible voting was trialled in Norfolk during May’s elections with audio devices at polling stations and of the 11 participants, 10 said they were satisfied with their experience.
Mike Wordingham, policy and campaigns officer at the RNIB, said: ‘It is crucial that these devices are rolled out nationwide for May 2022 so people with sight loss know they can vote independently and in secret when visiting the polling station.’
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