SHANGLA: The differently-abled persons in Shangla have complained about inaccessible polling stations and non-availability of ballot papers, thus depriving them of their right to vote.

Ezat Ali is a differently-abled person from remote Banjar area of Shangla. He did not cast his vote in the 2018 elections as polling station was set up at a distance and he could get the ballot paper through post.

About 70 per cent people of Shangla work in coal mines in parts of the country to earn a living for their families. According to social welfare department, over 7,000 differently-abled persons are registered with it.

Hussain Ali, who suffers from a spinal cord injury, works for the welfare of physically-challenged persons. He said he had collected data of over 450 persons, who had disability caused by spinal cord injury.

Ali said he had received ballot paper only for the National Assembly seat in the 2018 elections, but not for the provincial assembly seat. “We want our right of vote through which we can elect a representative, who makes policies for our welfare,” Mr Ali said.

Habiba Bibi, a differently-abled woman from Olandar area of Shahpur, has never voted in her life. She said even normal women in her village avoided to vote because of cultural obstacles and lack of awareness. She said she wanted to cast her vote if she received ballot paper for the coming elections.

Section 16 of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2020, states that persons with disabilities shall have full right to participate in the political activity, including exercising right of vote and right to be elected to an elected body.

The law says the Election Commission of Pakistan shall ensure that each polling station is accessible to persons with disabilities and necessary arrangements are made for them to cast their votes confidentially and without any difficulty.

Hussain Ali said at a meeting called by the ECP around three months ago, they had informed the commission officials about the issues they were facing in casting their vote, but no steps were taken in that regard.

He said often ballot papers meant for them got misplaced from the post offices, and they had taken up the matter with the commission officials, but to no avail.

Abdul Mateen from Larai area of Lilownai, who also has a spinal cord injury, said they had highlighted the issues of non-availability of ballot papers and inaccessibility of polling stations during meetings with relevant officials, but to no avail.

Inayatur Rehman, the district election commissioner, said special measures were being taken to facilitate the differently-abled persons in casting their vote in the coming elections. He said it would be ensured that ballot papers reached every differently-abled person in Shangla.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2023