A backplane for an electro-optic display comprises a pixel electrode
(104), a voltage supply line (C) arranged to supply a voltage to the
pixel electrode (104), and a micromechanical switch (106, 112) disposed
between the voltage supply line (C) and the pixel electrode (104), the
micromechanical switch (106, 112) having an open state, in which the
voltage supply line (C) is not electrically connected to the pixel
electrode (104), and a closed state, in which the voltage supply line (C)
is electrically connected to the pixel electrode (104).