§ 86. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to satisfy himself that the electors in the Gold Coast elections understand what is written on the ballot papers, in view of the fact that nine out of every 10 electors are unable to read.
Mr. DugdaleUnder the procedure for primary elections in the rural constituencies, nothing will be written by the voter on the ballot paper. The voter will secretly place his paper in the box bearing the symbol or colour of the candidate for whom he wishes to vote. In the case of the urban constituencies a distinctive symbol and colour allocated to each candidate will appear against his name on the ballot paper. In the rare event of a voter being able to understand neither name, colour nor symbol, he may tell the presiding officer, no other person being present or within hearing, for whom he wishes to vote. The presiding officer will mark the paper accordingly and, in the presence of the voter, place it in the ballot box.