The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has announced the implementation of a special ballot paper for visually impaired individuals in all future elections. Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Ratnayake, shared this significant development during a media briefing organized by the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities.

Ratnayake highlighted the success of a pilot project conducted in ten polling stations in the Nuwara Eliya district, which paved the way for the decision to extend the provision of special ballot papers to visually impaired voters across all polling stations. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in the electoral process, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of visual impairment, can exercise their democratic right.

The Election Commission is also taking proactive measures to address the needs of the hearing impaired, emphasizing its commitment to creating an environment that accommodates the diverse requirements of voters with disabilities.