A man who is registered blind is ’excited’ by the promise of more accessible voting in next month’s general election after he experienced poor management at polling stations in the past.

Juan Greggor, a member of Sight Matters - the new name for the Manx Blind Welfare Society - has previously had difficulties voting in Manx elections due to the lack of accessibility.

His first experience was in 2011 at the Peel Centenary Centre when his mother called ahead to prepare but it became clear when they arrived ’no one knew how [he] was going to vote’.

The doors were shut behind him and they agreed that the returning officer would read out the ballot card and Mr Greggor would indicate who he wished to vote for.

The Peel local said: ’I gave my instructions and he then had to check with one of the candidates’ representatives that he’d done as I’d asked for on the card.

’It was very transparent but it was demeaning in a way because this is something that I can do with a very, very simple piece of kit but because we had no disability legislation in, none of the procedures and protocols were in.’

In the 2016 general election, Mr Greggor registered for a postal vote and he was able to use a tactile voting device, which serves as an overlay for the ballot paper and uses embossed numbers and Braille to allow the voter to identify and differentiate between options on the ballot.

During the local elections this year however, the 28-year-old was forced to repeat the method used in 2011.

He continued: ’This time there was no one else in the room so it was a very private affair and that requires a lot of trust from me that he marked the right person on the card.

’It was quite disappointing and I think shows how little government departments talk to each other.’

The elections team at the Cabinet Office has confirmed that tactile voting devices will be provided for those who are visually impaired at the upcoming general election.

Mr Greggor hopes that returning officers will be trained in how to use them during the election.

’I know how but not everyone who has a visual impairment might, so it’s essential to have the staff trained,’ he added.

There will be additional measures in place, such as every voter being offered assistance upon entry, large print samples of the ballot paper and clear signage.