The CEC develops additional tools to facilitate the participation of Persons with Disabilities in the 2018 Re-run local elections

As part of its constant efforts to empower and enhance electoral participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the CEC has in the 2018 re-run local elections, rehabilitated polling centers and mainstreamed its electoral procedures and awareness material for the needs of PWDs. 

In this context, the CEC developed polling procedures suitable for Persons with vision impairments enabling them to vote by themselves without assistance. A special paper template was developed in Braille containing the names of electoral lists and squares against each name. Ballots are placed into the templates where voters can mark the list their choice. This procedure allows voters to secretly cast their votes without assistance.

This procedure was welcomed by voters with vision impairments in the last re-run elections. Mazen Mahmoud, a voter from Qirah said that’’ the procedure developed by the CEC reflects CEC’s attention to the needs of PWDs which is, in itself, a motivator for participation’’. He also added that’’ this tool was very useful as it enabled me to vote by myself for the first time in my life, and gave me a great sense of equality with the rest of voters’’.

The CEC has also developed an awareness brochure in Braille explaining polling steps inside polling stations which were rehabilitated with special marks on the floors to guide Persons with vision impairments to reach the ballot box by themselves. The brochure was distributed to voters with vision impairments to increase their electoral awareness.

As for persons with movement impairments, the CEC ensured their voting in polling stations located in ground floors which do not require escalators or stairs to facilitate their participation.