The Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi (FEDOMA) has asked the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to make consultations first on the use of tactile ballot guide for impaired voters in future elections.

FEDOMA head of programs Symon Munde said although the turnout of people with disabilities in the May 21 tripartite elections was impressive, MEC officials were struggling to help visually impaired people to vote  using the facility.

“We are impressed because most of the people with disabilities really came out  the only thing is that  most of the polling staff were not knowledgeable about tactile ballot guide to help the people with visual impairment,” said Munde.

He further said  other polling centers were situated in classrooms a development which brought challenges for people with disabilities to vote easily.

“Some polling stations were  was situated in classrooms and other polling centers were situated at a ground where by the terrain was not good enough to facilitate voters with disabilities,” Munde added.

“I think it’s important even for Malawi Electoral Commission to a  consult us as persons with disabilities when there are coming up with polling center because issues of accessibility they are quite paramount, they human rights issues they have to be considered and handled likewise.