Blind voters face obstacles<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): How will blind people vote in the June 7
\nelections? Will they have to pick out one of the 48 parties,
\nwhose symbols will be printed on a flat piece of paper, without
\naccompanying braille characters?<\/p>\n
\"The General Election Commission (KPU) must decide on how the
\nblind will vote,\" lawyer and coordinator of the University
\nNetwork for Free and Fair Elections Todung Mulya Lubis said on
\nFriday.<\/p>\n
Responding to the concern, National Election Committee (PPI)
\nchairman Jacob Tobing said special treatment for the handicapped
\nwould be provided.<\/p>\n
\"Subdistrict elections committee's offices, in cooperation
\nwith local administrations, will help the handicapped register
\nfor voting.<\/p>\n
\"On elections day, the handicapped -- especially the blind --
\nwill be accompanied by individuals that they trust to cast their
\nvote,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Jacob said that given the limited time available, it would be
\nimpossible for the commission to print special ballot papers for
\nthe handicapped.<\/p>\n
Andreas Basuki, a 42-year-old blind masseur living in Kedoya
\nsubdistrict, West Jakarta, said on Friday he was not aware of the
\nlatest developments.<\/p>\n
In the past, \"a special aluminum tool, like the one that the
\nblind use to write braille,\" was available, he told The Jakarta
\nPost. The implement was provided by local ballot committees, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"I could vote in front of three witnesses from the three
\ncontesting political parties then. Now, I don't know. (There are)
\nso many parties.\"<\/p>\n
Out of some 130 million people eligible to vote in the
\nupcoming June 7 general election, 1997 data reveals that an
\nestimated 2.5 million are blind.<\/p>\n
Their voting power could be worth at least six legislature
\nseats. (rms\/aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/blind-voters-face-obstacles-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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