The Royal National Institute of Blind People says a new device to help residents cast their vote will be available to use at local polling stations this week, reports Richard Cubitt

A charity representing blind people has confirmed that a new device aiding visually-impaired residents to vote will be made available across Enfield’s polling stations at this week’s local election.

The ‘McGonagle Reader’ is manufactured by Pakflatt and was first implemented at three local authorities for elections in 2024.

According to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), the device has a 93% accuracy rate for casting intended votes and is the best accessible voting system currently available.

The device is placed on top of a ballot paper and consists of a serious of flaps which, when lifted, press a button which reads out the name, address and party of the candidate below. If they are happy with that candidate, they can then mark the paper beneath the flap with a cross.

This enables blind voters to vote independently and in secret which, according to the RNIB, only 26% nationwide felt was the case in 2024.

In previous elections visually impaired voters in Enfield had access to a braille ballot paper, a tactile voting device and a magnifier as well as the option to ask a polling station staff member for assistance.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The returning officer wanted to widen the availability of voting devices to aid the voters in polling stations.”

The spokesperson added that the rollout of the device had been “smooth” so far.

Anna Taylor, chair of trustees at RNIB, said: “This will make a huge difference to voters with sight loss in Enfield, and the efforts of Enfield Council will hopefully set an example to other local authorities to improve accessibility for their blind and partially sighted voters at future elections.”

The local election takes place on Thursday, 7th May. Polling stations are open between 7am and 10pm. All voters will need to take photographic identification with them.

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