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Court challange over failure to provide visually impaired with means to cast secret ballot
Summary
Robert Sinnot, a Dublin resident and representative of the Blind Legal Alliance, has brought a High Court challenge against the State regarding the failure to provide visually impaired voters with a mechanism to cast a secret ballot in May's European and Local Elections. The applicant alleges that the State has a legal duty under the Constitution and European Law to ensure secret voting for those with sight difficulties. He claims that in recent elections, he was deprived of this right because he could not read the ballot sheet and had to ask the Presiding Officer to complete his voting paper. Mr. Sinnot argues that the State has failed to implement a system, such as Braille documents or audio recordings, despite such mechanisms existing in other EU member states and being described as not prohibitively expensive. The proceedings are directed against the Minister for the Environment, Community, and Local Government, Ireland, and the Attorney General. The applicant seeks orders compelling the respondents to have a suitable mechanism in place by May 23rd, the date of the elections, as well as declarations that the State has a duty to vindicate his right to vote in secret. Ms Justice Iseult O'Malley granted leave to serve short notice of proceedings on an ex-parte basis. Counsel for the applicant, Patrick Dillon Malone SC, with Michael Lynn, highlighted the urgency of the matter due to the proximity of polling day. The matter is at the hearing or decision stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court challange over failure to provide visually impaired with means to cast secret ballot. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- May 23rd Other
- 2014-03-27 Publication
Why: This he says is because he could not read or make out the ballot sheet on his own. CNI source report
Case subjects
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