The Disability Reform Coalition (DRC) is urging political parties to include Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in key leadership roles and for the election management body to ensure they participate equally in elections.
For some time now, PWDs have bemoaned exclusion and barriers to electoral process in every election.
From the political parties PWDs complain of exclusion in decision making roles which they maintain could change their fortunes around representation.
According to a research carried by the National Association of Societies for the Handicapped (NASCOH) in 2008 only 27.3% of PWDs participated in elections.
Low participation was attributed to fear of violence, lack of secrecy of the vote especially for those with visual impairments.
Other issues raised included; lack of communication with polling officers for those with hearing impairments, inaccessibility to voting information and polling stations.
The by-elections held by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) after the 2018 elections continue to demonstrate the barriers still exists 14 years later.
During the March 2022 by-elections physically challenged voters found it difficult to access a polling station because of the tall grass and badly potholed roads.
According to the findings from the Disability Inclusion Barometer report of 2022 participation of PwDs in electoral processes remain low.
Press Statement
In a statement released by the DRC there was need to raise awareness about the barriers faced by PWDs in exercising their rights to participation.
“By increasing the quality of political participation for persons with disabilities through engagement with relevant stakeholders, the Disability Reform Coalition will foster more inclusive and accessible electoral processes.
“And will ensure that the voices of persons with disabilities are amplified hence the significance of the Disability Inclusion Barometer.
“As the country prepares for the upcoming 2023 national elections, it is of paramount importance that we increase awareness on the issues of inclusion of persons with disabilities in civic and electoral processes to foster disability inclusion and improve the participation of PWDs as voters and as candidates,” read the statement.
Although, section 22 of the constitution compels the state and all institutions to recognise rights for persons with disabilities, in particular their rights to be treated with respect and dignity, in as far as electoral participation is concerned this yet to be realised.
