As the nation awaits the outcome of yesterday’s vote, it is an appropriate time to focus on a subject related to this democratic process, which, thankfully, was highlighted by The Malta Independent in its leader last Wednesday. The newspaper asked whether it’s an act of cruelty to make dementia sufferers vote; a pertinent question that seems to have been asked in the aftermath of the voting process at a number of elderly homes a week ago.

First, let’s put this issue in the proper perspective. In this election, for the first time ever, homes for the elderly with a population of 50 residents and over were allowed to function as a voting centre, which meant that its residents could vote there without the need to travel to a school or other polling station. This improvement materialised following a change in the electoral law pushed by our party’s representatives at the committee stage of the bill in question. This milestone in the history of our electoral process can also be considered as a small appreciation of the growing needs of this section of our population. The profile of residents in elderly homes has changed drastically in the past 20 years or so. Whereas in the early 90s residents in government homes for the elderly needed to be fully mobile to qualify for entry into such homes, today it is almost imperative to be dependent in order to be referred to one of these homes. This means the needs of residents in homes of the elderly have grown substantially. 

It also means that it was only natural for our society to realise that it was high time we made it simpler for these people to exercise their duty to vote. That was a smart move and about time it was made. However, questions such as the one asked by The Malta Independent remain, to a certain extent, harder to solve. How can older people who suffer from dementia, who sometimes barely recognise their spouses, children, siblings or other relatives, let alone distinguish between one candidate and the other, one party from the other, be expected to cast a vote? Here I tend to agree with the views of the head of the National Focal Point for Dementia who spoke of the need of individuals with dementia not to be treated differently since it would be unethical to do so given that voting is a constitutional right. However, as we know, there are different stages of dementia. Someone who is in the initial stages of this condition may have full control of his faculties; however, it may not be the case for a person in an advanced stage of the condition.

Unfortunately, here we might have a loop-hole that needs to be looked into. In the past few days, I received a number of phone calls from relatives who claimed that their relatives, who suffered from dementia, were taken to vote. These individuals expressed concern that their elderly relatives were pressured to vote and, more seriously, pressured to vote for the party they would not have wanted to vote for. Honestly, it is very difficult to prove such allegations although I always advise such people to lodge complaints through the proper channels. However, doubts remain.

I feel that we have finally come to terms with the need to make it easier for elderly residents to vote in their own environment and we should review the whole system, as The Malta Independent suggested, to ensure that no abuse is carried out and the dignity of these elderly individuals is defended and preserved. On voting days, we should start by carefully selecting the persons who are assigned to accompany elderly residents to the polling area or with handling the voting process at the homes. These individuals should be given a good briefing and training by representatives of the Electoral Commission and by specialists in elderly care. At the same time, it should be left in the hands of professionals to assess whether a voter is capable of deciding for himself or herself whether to vote and for whom to vote. Allowing a person to vote while knowing full well that that person is not able to exercise that right properly may also run counter to our wish to respect the person’s dignity. 

I know this issue may sound complex, but by genuinely deciding in favour of these people rather than in the interest of one party or the other, we will be doing the right thing, making the right choice. Protecting vulnerable people from abuse, whatever it is, should be high on our agenda. This is also what democracy should be about.

Charlo Bonnici is a Nationalist Member of Parliament