As the world strives for inclusive democracy, one community that often faces significant barriers are Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).In this special report, I explore the challenges PwDs encounter during elections and the need to advocate for inclusive democracy.In many low-income countries, People with Disabilities are excluded from political and social engagements, unable to cast their vote or stand for election.
Lack of accessibility, stigma, and inadequate policies hinder participation.The President of Ghana Blind Union Dr.
Peter Obeng Asamoa said persons with disability are relegated to the background such that participation in elections, which is their civic right, is denied them.Peter Obeng AsamoaHe said there are certain conditions that Persons living with Disability go through, specially those who are visually impaired."There is a device like a card that we use our thumb to feel and identify which candidate we are voting for, but one must be trained by the Electoral Commission, till date we have not received any information as the Federation keeps waiting to hear from the EC," he said.He added that the EC in the 2020 elections trained Persons with Disability in the various regional capitals, which did not transcend to the disability community in the districts.
This deprived a lot more of the persons with disability from voting.Dr.