MunicipalNews
Universal Ballot Template (UBT) to aid voting during elections
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has developed a voting aid, called the Universal Ballot Template (UBT,) to assist persons with disabilities and special needs to have an independent and secret vote during elections. Local government elections will be held on 1 November. IEC Commissioner Mosotho Moepya said: “The UBT is one of the …
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has developed a voting aid, called the Universal Ballot Template (UBT,) to assist persons with disabilities and special needs to have an independent and secret vote during elections.
Local government elections will be held on 1 November.
IEC Commissioner Mosotho Moepya said: “The UBT is one of the best examples of collaboration and partnering in the pursuit of making voting and elections easy and accessible to all people, especially the disadvantaged, the sick, and those living with disabilities.”
The UBT can be used for persons who are:
- Blind or partially sighted
- Low-vision voters
- People who are dyslexic
- The elderly
- People with low literacy
- People with motor and nervous conditions that do not allow for a steady hand.
The ballot paper is inserted into the template, each window will align to a particular candidate or party and the voter is free to make his or her secret and independent mark accurately. The types of ballot used in the election will be explained and the names of parties on the ballot will be read out in the order they appear on the ballot.
The UBT can be used for national, provincial, and local government elections as well as by-elections. It can also be used for special votes at either the voting station or for home visits. Voters registered for special voting can make their mark on either 30 or 31 October between 8am and 5pm.
In accordance with Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act of 1994 the President has declared 1 November a public holiday.
To check your voter status SMS your identity number to 32810.
