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The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has made efforts to improve the participation of people living with disabilities (PLWDs) in the forthcoming elections. It is now considering the printing of Braille ballot papers for the benefit of voters who are visually impaired, among other measures. In this one-on-one, our Senior Writer, Sifelani Tsiko (ST), speaks to Justice Priscilla Chigumba (PC), chairwoman of the electoral body over wide-ranging issues on the rights of people living with disabilities (PLWDs) to participate in the forthcoming elections.
ST: What has been the response of people living with disabilities to the Biometric Voter Registration exercise you conducted recently?
PC: The response was average according to the National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH)’s estimated figure for that particular exercise which took place in Harare Gardens on 5 April 2018.
ST: How many people with disabilities managed to register?
PC: The total number of people registered with disabilities was 231.
ST: Did ZEC conduct the exercise across the country or it was just confined to Harare?
PC: No, the exercise was not for the entire country since the request by NASCOH was specifically for Harare and that it was a once- off event.
ST: Last year in September, Senator Nyamayabo Mashavakure, representing people living with disabilities, said the importance of a friendly environment for persons with disabilities to exercise their right to vote cannot be overemphasised. What has ZEC done in terms of addressing things like sign language, voter education material in Braille and accessibility of registration centres?
PC: ZEC produced voter education materials in Braille during the BVR process. The materials were distributed through ZEC structures at provincial and district levels.
People Living with Disabilities (PWD) organisations such as NASCOH have also been part of the channels for the distribution of such materials to visually impaired voters. ZEC has also incorporated the sign language in some of its skits (short dramas) for the benefit of people with hearing and speech challenges.
The Commission is committed to the production of more voter education material in Braille for the voters’ roll inspection and in the forthcoming elections. Funding constraints are, however, the major impediment. In terms of accessibility of registration centres, the Commission has since been working with groups representing people with disabilities prior to the 2013 elections on this aspect. Ramps have been constructed at most centres that use classrooms for either registration or voting. Accessibility to PWDs has been one of the determinants used to site voter registration centres and polling stations.
ST: What are some of the major constraints ZEC faces in terms of improving the voting process for people living with disabilities?
PC: The voting process for PWDs is provided for in the Electoral Act depending on the category and level of disability. Some have been voting on their own, while others needed to be assisted. Those who require assistance are free to bring a person of their own choice or confidante. The secrecy of the ballot remains an issue by virtue of that assistance. To improve the voting process by PWDs, it requires them to be active participants in electoral reform processes.
ST: How much did you allocate towards voter education and voter materials for People Living with Disabilities?
PC: The Commission set aside $3 000 for the production of 2 500 Braille pamphlets for the visually challenged. The challenge, however, is that ZEC does not have figures of people who are Braille literate among the visually handicapped. Distribution will be done through NASCOH and the Council for the Blind. Other PWD groups such as the deaf require sign language whereas interpreters of sign language are scarce.
ST: What is the estimated amount that would be ideal to support the voter education and materials for PWDs?
PC: Printing of Braille material is quite expensive. USD$50 000 would meet most of the expenses incurred towards its production and distribution.
ST: There are concerns that polling stations often lack facilities necessary for people with limited mobility to use and that voting booths should be fitted with ramps and made accessible to people on wheelchairs. What has ZEC done to improve the universal accessibility at polling stations to individuals with disabilities in preparation of the 2018 election?
PC: In 2012-13, ZEC in partnership with NASCOH conducted a programme for the construction of ramps at some schools designated as polling station points. The programme was conducted in the following provinces – Harare, Masvingo and Mashonaland East. As mentioned before, accessibility to PWDs is one of the determinant factors used to site polling stations.
ST: How do you compare 2018 election preparations to enhance the participation of PWDs with those of previous elections? Have conditions improved?
PC: There has been an improvement since 2012. With the introduction of Braille and sign language in voter education materials, the Commission hopes for an enhanced participation at the polls from a wide spectrum of society.
ST: What do you intend to do in future to enhance the participation of PWDs in elections?
PC: The Commission intends to increase its collaboration with organisations representing PWDs to come up with a database for people with disabilities, including those that have not registered to vote. This would be an important step towards the building of sustainable electoral strategies for PDWs.
Online Reporter