KARACHI: Advocacy organisations have called for establishing “one-window operation camps” for persons with disabilities to streamline processes for obtaining disability certificates, issuing identification cards, and registering for voting.

This proposal emerged during a recent three-day workshop focused on “Disability Rights and Elections,” organised in collaboration with the Election Commission of Pakistan and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

The workshop, inaugurated by Joint Provincial Election Commissioner Nazar Abbas, underscored the Election Commission’s ongoing initiatives to involve marginalised communities in the electoral process.

The event gathered participants from across Sindh, including individuals with disabilities, district election commissioners, election officers, and representatives from various disability organisations.

Pavel Cabacenco, a representative of BRIDGE from the Maldives, shared valuable insights online on international laws and best practices, emphasising the importance of accessibility, social attitudes, and communication to promote political participation for persons with disabilities.

Participant Sahil Hussain shared his experiences, describing challenges in obtaining disability certificates due to inadequate hospital facilities. Shaina, a polio survivor, recounted her struggles during the last elections, where a lack of family support and insufficient information forced her to visit multiple polling stations to register her vote.

Another participant, Irum Saim, identified barriers to participation, such as the absence of ramps at polling stations, which hinder access for many.

The workshop highlighted limited data on persons with disabilities, poor inter-agency coordination, and additional obstacles faced by individuals with disabilities during the voting process.

Senior Program Manager from IFES, Kulsom Akhter, and Training Officer Aslam Brohi discussed the Models of Disabilities and Rights of Persons with Disabilities using the BRIDGE curriculum.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2024