Persons who are visually impaired and eligible to vote, will for the first time have the possibility to vote on their own without the assistance of officials of the Electoral Commission, the organisation Gozo Aid for the Visually Impaired (GAVI) said.

This became possible following the pressure made by the local organisations of the visually impaired, which led to changes in the law by the Maltese Parliament last September.

The system contemplates that one casts his vote through the help of a template, which is attached to the ballot paper by the Electoral Commission. The choice of the parties and the candidates can be made from a list, which is both in Braille and as an audio-recording on CD. Preferences will be marked through apertures in the template.

Before the vote, the officials of the Electoral Commission will be available to explain the process. GAVI is also preparing itself to explain to and train visually impaired persons, residing in Gozo and wishing to make use of this voting system. For that purpose, GAVI representatives will be meeting those interested on Thursday 6 and Friday, 7 March as from 9.30am till noon at the Adult Training Centre (ATC) premises, Mgarr Road, Ghajnsielem (next to the Gozo Press). For further information, one may contact the GAVI on 7906-9722 or 7955-0002.