De Lille urges IEC to approve Braille ballots for 2004 elections
2003-11-26. Patricia de Lille, leader of the Independent Democrats is appealing to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to sanction the Braille ballot paper specially designed for hundreds of thousands of visually impaired South Africans by the non profit trust, We-Shop. (We shall overcome prejudice)
"The new ballot paper will finally give the visually impaired peace of
mind and complete privacy when casting their vote in the general
elections. "I am strongly urging the IEC to introduce the new
ballot paper at every polling station and have officials sufficiently
trained on the new template," said De Lille. "The 240 000
visually impaired South Africans who are seen as a minority group will
be able to exercise their democratic right confidentially. "The
new ballot paper will break down the voting barriers that have been
surrounding the 240 000 visually impaired South Africans since the
introduction of our democracy," De Lille said today.
Shani Swart, a visually impaired South African working at the Institute for the Blind in Worcester confirmed De Lille"™s sentiments. "I am very excited to vote next year, this will be the first time that I will cast my vote and I think the new Braille ballot paper is a good idea, because I"™ll be able to vote without someone assisting me," Swart said.
De Lille was concerned as to why the IEC had not made use of the new Braille ballot paper even though they were available for use at the "˜99 elections. "The IEC should embrace the new innovation as it will encourage more South Africans to visit the polls, De Lille said. De Lille commended the Golden Arrow Foundation for funding the We-Shop initiative.
De Lille is currently in the UK meeting with international advisors on HIV/Aids in Africa.
Shani Swart, a visually impaired South African working at the Institute for the Blind in Worcester confirmed De Lille"™s sentiments. "I am very excited to vote next year, this will be the first time that I will cast my vote and I think the new Braille ballot paper is a good idea, because I"™ll be able to vote without someone assisting me," Swart said.
De Lille was concerned as to why the IEC had not made use of the new Braille ballot paper even though they were available for use at the "˜99 elections. "The IEC should embrace the new innovation as it will encourage more South Africans to visit the polls, De Lille said. De Lille commended the Golden Arrow Foundation for funding the We-Shop initiative.
De Lille is currently in the UK meeting with international advisors on HIV/Aids in Africa.
