Cameroon Embraces Inclusive Voting: Blind Citizens Cast Ballots Independently for the First Time

By Tafadzwa Nyamuzihwa, Hannover, Germany

Yaoundé, Cameroon – In a historic move toward inclusive democracy, Cameroon held its presidential elections on 12th October 2025, marking a significant milestone for persons with disabilities—particularly the blind—who were able to vote independently for the first time.

While parliamentary elections are scheduled for March 2026, the presidential vote has already drawn attention for its innovative approach to accessibility.

The initiative was spearheaded by Madam Angonwi Eveline, a dedicated official working with Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), the national electoral body.

A major highlight of this election was the introduction of the tactile voting jacket—a tool designed specifically to empower blind voters to cast their votes privately and independently.

How the Tactile Voting Jacket Works

The tactile voting jacket is a reusable, transparent plastic sleeve designed to overlay a standard paper ballot.

It features Braille markings and tactile cutouts that correspond to the positions of the candidates on the ballot paper.

When placed correctly, the blind voter can read the names in Braille, align their choice, and mark their ballot without sighted assistance.

This innovation ensures privacy, accuracy, and independence in the voting process.

“Most blind people in Cameroon voted for the first time without assistance from a sighted person,” said Madam Angonwi in an interview.

“The jacket helped them to choose their candidates, thanks to the Braille writing on the tactile jacket.”

Challenges Remain

Despite the success, the rollout was not without challenges.

Madam Angonwi acknowledged that limited training time was a significant barrier to full implementation.

“There was confusion because both the blind voters and some ELECAM polling agents were not sufficiently trained,” she noted.

“The timeline to train everyone was too short.”

However, the overall response from the visually impaired community has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing newfound confidence in participating in the democratic process.

Global Context: A Step in the Right Direction

Cameroon now joins a growing list of countries that have adopted inclusive voting methods for persons with disabilities.

Countries such as South Africa, India, the United Kingdom, and Brazil have also implemented accessible voting systems, including Braille ballots, audio assistance, and tactile voting devices.

For instance:In India, Braille-enabled Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been in use since the early 2000s.

The UK mandates tactile voting devices at all polling stations.

South Africa introduced the Universal Ballot Template (UBT) to support blind and partially sighted voters.

Cameroon’s adoption of the tactile jacket signals its commitment to upholding the democratic rights of all citizens, including those with disabilities—a step that disability rights activists across Africa have praised.

As the country awaits the official presidential election results, expected to be announced in the coming days, this year’s elections will be remembered not just for their political outcome but for breaking barriers in electoral inclusion.