ZEC targets to print Braille ballot papers

Midlands Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has said it is considering printing Braille ballot papers for the benefit of voters who are visually impaired. Speaking during an Elections Reporting Training workshop held in Gweru on Friday last week, ZEC voter education director Mr Taurayi Gavi said the commission was considering printing Braille ballot papers as it tried to accommodate all voters.

“The issue of Braille ballot papers is something that has been asked and we have been working with the Dorothy Duncan Centre (library for blind people) to come up with Braille ballot papers or Braille information,” he said.

“We have actually started with the voter education material. Our voter education material is now coming with a set of Braille, so this is something that we are considering.”

Mr Gavi said the challenge was that they did not know the exact number of voters who would need the special ballot papers.
Most people with visual impairments are assisted to vote.

There has been an outcry among people with hearing and visual impairments who have claimed that they have been left out in the voter education process as there was no information, education and communication material for them.

Speaking during the same workshop, ZEC Commissioner Dr Qhubani Moyo said the printing of ballot papers would be an open process so that no one doubts the credibility of the elections.

“The process of printing of ballot papers will be done openly so that there are no suspicions,” he said.
“We will flight the tender in the press and the company that wins the tender will be made public to all Zimbabweans.”

Dr Moyo said the public will be free to access the voters’ roll once opened.
“Once we open the voters’ roll, citizens and institutions are free to audit, investigate or check the voters’ role if ever they have any queries,” said Dr Moyo.

He said the move was critical since it eliminated suspicion.
“In terms of the law, there is no provision for the commission to audit the voters roll, but citizens are allowed,” said Dr Moyo.