The government has unveiled plans to introduce a new voting system that will allow visually impaired citizens to vote independently and in private during future elections, a move hailed as a major step toward electoral inclusivity.
On Wednesday, June 11, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura announced that the state will roll out a “special secret ballot mechanism” specifically designed to empower visually impaired voters. The system will eliminate the need for external assistance at the ballot box, giving every Kenyan the right to vote confidentially.
“The new system will mean that visually impaired people will be able to cast their votes without assistance from another person as has been the case,” Mwaura explained on his official X account.
Currently, voters with visual disabilities must rely on officials from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to help them mark their ballots. While these officials are trained and take an oath of secrecy, the arrangement has raised longstanding concerns about voter privacy and potential influence.
In the 2022 General Election, IEBC personnel assisted visually impaired voters, but the lack of a truly independent process necessitated the need for reform.
Mwaura said the upcoming system will address these concerns and ensure that visually impaired voters can exercise their democratic rights without interference or compromise.
“To promote electoral inclusivity, secret ballot mechanisms for the visually impaired are being introduced to ensure their full participation in elections,” he added.
The government mouthpiece also reaffirmed the government’s broader commitment to disability rights, citing the recent enactment of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Act 2025.
President William Ruto signed the law on May 8, and it provides a comprehensive framework for addressing challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
According to Mwaura, the government will champion the Act’s full implementation and continue introducing inclusive systems that promote accessibility, equity, and active participation across all sectors of public life.
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