The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) has submitted a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing the voting process for individuals with disabilities.
This initiative is part of the organization’s efforts to promote inclusivity in electoral participation.
During a recent presentation, Ganesh Singh, Programme Coordinator of the Council, highlighted key findings from their Election Access Observation Report, which focused on the Local Government Elections held on June 12.
The report identified critical areas for improvement, including the absence of tactile or audio voter guides, making it challenging for visually impaired voters to cast their ballots independently.
Some of the key findings and recommendations are:
- 55.9% of polling stations had steps, while only 12.3% had ramps.
- 87.1% of polling stations were on the ground floor, and only 1.4% had elevators or lifts for upper floors.
- Advocacy for accessible washroom facilities, obstacle-free entryways, and close parking on the ground floor with barrier-free access.
Additionally, the report advocated for individuals with disabilities to have the autonomy to select their own assistants during the voting process.
It also recommended spacing voting booths further apart to ensure privacy.
The audit was conducted in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, USAID Youth ALLIES, and involved 42 observers with disabilities who assessed over 550 polling stations across the country.
This initiative reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that all citizens, including those with disabilities, have equal access and opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
Reporting for NCN News, Josiah Williams.