ike other citizens of Pakistan, persons with disabilities appreciate the government’s decision to announce the date for general elections. However, when it comes to participating in the democratic process, people with disabilities often face obstacles that affect their exercise of the basic right to vote.

Asadullah, a 36-year-old polio survivor and the driving force behind the Independent Committee for Special Persons in Mardan, sheds light on the enduring challenges faced by disabled people during elections. His personal account underscores the crucial need for accessibility, emphasising the significance of making the voting process inclusive.

A primary challenge highlighted by Asadullah is the lack of accessibility to polling stations. Ageing structures of many government schools, often used as polling stations, are devoid of essential infrastructure for people with disabilities, especially those reliant on wheelchairs.

“During the general elections in 2018, I, along with other members of my team, visited several union councils to motivate people with disabilities to cast their votes. A major hurdle we encountered was the absence of ramps in the Irum Colony polling station, previously NA-9, now NA-21,” says Asadullah. The absence of wheelchair-accessible paths caused a significant number of disabled voters to miss out.

The struggle extends beyond physical barriers to encompass the reluctance of disabled individuals to venture outside their homes. Asadullah says that many disabled persons in Mardan he knows stay indoors due to feelings of awkwardness in public spaces.

Despite concerted efforts to encourage voting, the lack of accessible facilities causes a considerable number to refrain from casting their votes.

The gravity of the situation is reflected in data provided by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics which reveals that as of 2021, there were 116,491 persons with disabilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Mardan alone had more than 20,000 such people. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, the number of registered voters in Mardan district is 1,508,129. Urgent attention and comprehensive measures are thus needed to address the specific needs of the marginalised community.

Mukhtiar Khan, another person with disabilities, says that he personally raised concern with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf candidates. Despite his effort, he says, many individuals with disabilities encountered insurmountable barriers at polling stations, leading to disappointment and non-participation.

The Election Commission of Pakistan had claimed in 2018 that special measures had been taken to enhance the participation of women and persons with disabilities. However, the ground reality, says Mukhtiar Khan was different. He says the measures taken by the ECP did not always translate into tangible improvements at the polling stations, where accessibility remained a persistent problem.

In 2015, the Special Talent Exchange Programme, a disability rights organisation, had introduced the Disability Inclusive Voter Education application. This mobile phone application aimed at connecting persons with disabilities with information on disability rights, providing a resource to enable them to learn about their rights and related opportunities. The goal was to encourage active engagement in political life.

Despite concerted efforts to encourage voting, the lack of accessible facilities causes a considerable number of voters to refrain from casting their votes.

Supported by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, the DIVE application addressed the information gap and offered increased accessibility options for users with disabilities. Users could access information on civic and human rights, voter registration and running for office. Importantly, the app provided options for greater accessibility, making it a crucial tool for persons with disabilities in navigating the political landscape.

While recognising positive developments with the DIVE app, Musa Khan, the president of Persons with Disabilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, argues that more initiatives are required. Khan says that the governments should take concrete actions to provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities at all levels.

Khan lists specific demands focusing on the upcoming elections. He is urging the ECP to ensure ramps at every polling station. This simple measure could significantly enhance the accessibility of polling stations and empower persons with disabilities to exercise their right to vote.

Musa Khan highlights the urgent need for comprehensive and inclusive measures to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the electoral processes. While initiatives like the DIVE app showcase the potential for technology to empower this marginalised community, the onus remains on policymakers, government bodies and the Election Commission of Pakistan to translate promises into tangible improvements at the grassroots level. The upcoming elections present an opportune moment to implement inclusive policies, ensuring that no citizen is left behind in the democratic process.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has taken several initiatives for the gender and social inclusion. These include making all office buildings of the ECP accessible to persons with disabilities by providing ramps and drafting a Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion Framework in consultation with stakeholders in the Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

An official of the Election Commission of Pakistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, wishing not to be mentioned by name, says that the issues and challenges have been discussed in preparation meetings of the ECP for upcoming elections. He says that they have tried their best to provide all kinds of facilities to the marginalised communities.

The official says they have chosen polling stations that are easily accessible. He said that the ECP has prepared and uploaded documentaries on ECP’s website to raise awareness among different segments of society about voter registration, vote casting and postal ballot facilities offered to persons with disabilities.

The Gender and Disability Electoral Working Group, a platform provided to civil society organisations working for the rights of women, PWDs and transgender persons, holds monthly meetings in all provinces. It also provides gender-sensitive training for polling staff, security personnel and the media on ways to address gender-based violence in the electoral process.

Through district monitoring officers and monitoring teams, the ECP monitors any signs of gender violence or discrimination and takes immediate actions as per the law in case of any violence. The ECP ensures strict compliance with Sections 9, 12, 18 (1), 19(2) & (5), 47, 48, 84(9), 91(1), 93, 104, 170, 203(4), 206 & 226 of the Election Acts 2017, with a major focus on increasing political participation and representation of marginalised groups including women, persons with disabilities, transgender citizens and minorities.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Peshawar