Blindness and low vision advocates have expressed frustration that the accessible voting options being offered at the 2016 federal election do not allow voters to keep their choices secret.
Vision Australia Advocacy Advisor, Ms Susan Thompson said this situation is unacceptable as the right to cast a secret vote is guaranteed by the Australian Constitution. Also, the right to participate in political life is asserted by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which Australia is a party to.
“Telephone voting through a call centre operator and assisted voting at polling places are the only ways a person who is blind or has low vision can cast their vote at the forthcoming federal election,” confirmed Ms Thompson.
“Neither option allows a person to cast their vote independently. And, as their choices must be shared with others for recording and verification, their vote does not remain secret. Therefore, over 310,000 voters are being denied their constitutional right.”
A remote electronic voting system, i-Vote which allows a vote to be cast independently and in private was introduced by the New South Wales Electoral Commission at the 2011 state election.
“i-Vote is the leading example of accessible voting. Originally designed for people who are blind or low vision it allows a person to place their vote independently and anonymously by using the keypad on a telephone or computer,” said Ms Thompson.
“The number of people who are blind or have low vision who used i-Vote at the 2015 NSW state election rose nearly eight-fold.”
i-Vote was made available to a broader population of NSW residents to include those with disabilities and limited mobility, and those who live in regional and remote areas. The total number of people who used i-Vote rose by over 600% at the 2015 NSW state election.
Vision Australia argues that voting is just another aspect of life that needs to be brought into the digital age.
“Despite arguments about security, we are increasingly living our lives online. We share our most personal information and preferences when we bank, do our taxes, date or use social media.”
“The government needs to stop this discrimination against people who are blind or have low vision by introducing a system that allows them to place a truly independent and secret vote. We didn’t get it at this election, but we want to see it in place at the next federal election,” concluded Ms Thompson.