§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what grounds a disabled person is required to provide medical evidence of inability to attend a polling station in order to obtain a postal vote 4W when someone away from home on business is only required to sign a statement; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is the procedure for obtaining a postal vote for a person who is unable to attend a polling station on account of (a) the general nature of his occupation, service or employment and (b) blindness or other physical incapacity.
§ Mr. MellorAn elector who wishes to apply to be treated as an absent voter for an indefinite period on the grounds that he or she is unable or likely to be unable to vote in person at the polling station by reason of the general nature of his or her occupation, service or employment, or of blindness or other physical incapacity, must do so on the prescribed form. This may be obtained from the electoral registration officer. The application must be received by noon on the eleventh day before the poll, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and other breaks.
The ERO is required to allow an application based on blindness or other physical incapacity if, either, the elector is a registered blind person who states the name of the local authority by which he or she has been registered, or, the application is accompanied by a certificate or declaration, signed by a registered medical practitioner or Christian Science practitioner respectively, estimating the period for which the elector's incapacity is likely to continue.
The ERO also has discretion to allow an application if it is accompanied by a declaration signed by a person other than a registered medical practitioner or Christian Science practitioner, including an application based on the general nature of the elector's occupation, service or employment which must state full reasons for the application.
These provisions give an elector who is blind or otherwise incapacitated an entitlement to an absent vote if the application is made in due form, whereas the acceptance of an application on grounds of the elector's occupation, service or employment is at the discretion of the ERO. The Government are reviewing the law and procedure on absent voting in response to the Home Affairs Select Committee's report on the Represenation of the People Acts.