Disability is no longer a hidden issue in Bangladesh. In the last two decades, governments, NGOs, and international actors have promoted the social and political rights of disabled people through initiatives like the enactment of Disability Rights and Protection Act, allocations for disabled people in national budgets, and ratification of the UNCRPD. The 10th national parliament election will be held very soon, and we should be apprised of the opportunities and scope for disabled people’s right to vote.
Disabled persons were encouraged to stand in local elections, and thus in 2003, 96 disabled persons stood for local elections with 16 being elected as ward members. Another 50 disabled persons took part in the 2011 local elections, and six were elected.
Communities still deem disabled persons as unfit to compete in elections. Physically impaired Saiful Islam stood in the election of Matikata Union Parishad as a ward member in 2011. He says: “My father was also a public representative and he encouraged me to stand in the election. I was the most eligible candidate among the four contestants, but due to my disability, I could not win.”
Some big political parties included disability issues in their election manifestos in the last election. The demand for reserved seats in parliament, like that of women, is gaining favour, and in the next elections in 2014, this should be considered so disabled persons can contribute more to mainstream society.
To what extent are these rights ensured? Joynal, a physically impaired person, expressed his experiences of voting in the last election. He says: “I had to walk 1km from my house to the voting centre, and stand in line for 2 hours. When I felt pain, I requested to cast my vote early, but was greeted with laughter. Furthermore, the voting booth was on a two-storey building and it was difficult for me to access the booth. It is very difficult for physically impaired persons who have problems of movement to go to the polls and cast their vote when there is no transport. Most of the candidates do not consider disabled persons as voters yet.”
Selim is visually impaired. He says: “I have found that candidates provide conveyance for voters, but discriminate for non-disabled persons and aged persons. There are six voting centres in Bauniabad but only two have ramps. I think as citizens, disabled persons are more responsible than non-disabled persons in terms of casting votes, because they ignore all difficulties to come to cast their vote.”
Some recommendations emerged after a seminar held in Rajshahi on voting rights of disabled people. Tactile ballot paper should be introduced; separate queues are necessary for disabled persons; they should be given priority to cast their votes; written directions should be provided to all presiding officers about disabled peoples’ special needs.
Furthermore, transport facilities and ramps should be provided; disability issues should be included in the training sessions for polling personnel; awareness should be raised in the community.
The EC is responsible for ensuring the rights of all voters, and thus they have an obligation to fulfill the above recommendations.
Political parties who have mandates to work for the wellbeing of general people have many responsibilities towards people with disabilities. This maintains a democratic culture and includes marginalised people.
It is not a good practice for democracy to keep out 10% of voters during the election. Democracy ensures active participation of people in politics and civil life.
Political parties should come forward to create a friendly voting environment for the disabled and make commitments to continue to work for them.
Article 29 of the UNCRPD indicates the political rights of disabled people. The government has assigned and ratified the CRPD, and therefore it is an obligation for them to take all steps to ensure political rights of disabled people.
We hope the EC, political parties, and all other citizens will come forward to create a friendly environment for disabled people to cast their votes in the upcoming and future elections.