Alberto Núñez Feijóo, chair of the Partido Popular and candidate for the office of head of government, pledged on 17 October 2026 at the 12th Congress of the Unidad Progresista of the ONCE in Pozuelo de Alarcón to ensure that blind and partially sighted people can vote “accessibly and in secret” in all elections. He stressed that rights guaranteed by the Constitution must demonstrably work in everyday life; voting that forces people to depend on others does not amount to full political participation.
Feijóo’s proposal builds on existing regulations. In Spain the Real Decreto 1612/2007, which provides for blind voters to cast their ballots using Braille materials, has been in force since 2007. The consolidated version was last published in September 2026 in the Boletín Oficial del Estado . The regulations require election authoritiesto provide aids and procedures that protect the secrecy of the ballot, including ballot-paper sets with tactile markings and clear information on how to request these materials. Feijóo said he would strengthen practical implementation so that existing rights are upheld nationwide and without barriers.
The party leader linked the announcement to a broader disability policy agenda. Policy should be shaped “with those affected and their organisations”, he said, naming employment, housing, mobility and education as areas where fundamental rights must become effective entitlements. For years, the ONCE and other organisations have called for accessible information before elections, the reliable provision of tactile aids and the freedom to choose the form of assistance, without compromising ballot secrecy.
More consistent implementation would have practical implications for the administration. Election authorities would need to expand training for polling staff, ensure standardised materials are available and improve communication with organisations representing people with disabilities. From civil society’s perspective, the benchmarks are reliable budgets, clear deadlines and verifiable quality standards. Politically, the announcement can be seen as the Partido Popular staking out its position in an area where Spain has built up regulations over many years, but whose application is perceived differently across regions.
The remarks came in Feijóo’s speech at the ONCE congress; Spanish media reported on his appearance and its main themes consistently on Saturday. The immediate news occasion was the congress speech in Pozuelo de Alarcón.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).