Physical barriers crippled disabled voters
Observer missions shine spotlight on disabled voters
A group of human rights lawyers has lambasted the electoral body for failing to ensure adequate access for persons living with disabilities at nearly 58% of polling stations on election day.
Many disabled voters were left to fend for themselves at polling stations on election day, with the Southern Africa Human Rights Lawyers (SAHRL) election observer mission indicating that more than half of the Namibian polling stations visited by the mission could not be accessed by persons with disabilities.
The human rights lawyers shared this observation in their preliminary statement dated 30 November, after visiting the country to observe the just-ended National Assembly and presidential elections.
The elections were won by the Swapo Party and its presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, respectively.
About 21 785 people living with disabilities were registered as voters for the elections, according to official ECN data. This includes people with physical disabilities (16 128) as well as those who are vision impaired (3 202) and hearing impaired (1 744).
“There was not enough accessibility for persons with disabilities, ensuring at least 57.5% of polling stations were inaccessible. The inaccessibility was due to polling stations being located upstairs with no amenities for disabled persons or in areas with uneven terrain, which posed physical barriers,” said SAHRL high commissioner professor Talent Rusere.
Observations differ
In contrast, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) observer mission had a different view on accessibility for disabled voters at polling stations.
In its preliminary report, the regional body’s observers noted that accessibility for persons with disabilities was ensured at 87.5% of polling stations, with only 12.5% inaccessible.
“The inaccessibility arose due to polling stations being located upstairs with no amenities for disabled persons or in areas with uneven terrain, which posed physical barriers,” the report states.
The figures presented by the two missions relate only to polling stations they visited, as they did not visit all the stations, which numbered more than 4 500 nationwide.
Inclusivity praised
Meanwhile, in its report, the African Union election observer mission lauded the ECN for including people with disabilities as polling staff.
The continental observer group also pointed out that the disaggregation of registered voters with disabilities enabled the ECN to map the stations for voters with specific disabilities, allowing them to cater to their needs.
“The mission also noted ECN’s initiative to encourage people with disabilities to participate in the electoral processes by use of slogans that are appealing in voter education, such as the 'Touch and Feel' slogan for visually-impaired voters. Voter and civic education materials were available in braille while sign language was used to cater to the hearing impaired,” the report notes.
No help
Media reports highlighted how several voters with disabilities reportedly berated the ECN over alleged disability-unfriendly polling stations that failed to cater to their needs.
“Several people with disabilities who spoke to this publication said it was a nightmare for them to access voting centres and cast their votes. This is because most of the buildings had no ramps for people in wheelchairs or those who had trouble with stairs,” New Era reported.
The report further added that at some polling stations, no braille provision was made for the visually impaired.
In some areas, people with disabilities alleged that tents were set up in sandy and stony locations, making it difficult to navigate a wheelchair.
The human rights lawyers shared this observation in their preliminary statement dated 30 November, after visiting the country to observe the just-ended National Assembly and presidential elections.
The elections were won by the Swapo Party and its presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, respectively.
About 21 785 people living with disabilities were registered as voters for the elections, according to official ECN data. This includes people with physical disabilities (16 128) as well as those who are vision impaired (3 202) and hearing impaired (1 744).
“There was not enough accessibility for persons with disabilities, ensuring at least 57.5% of polling stations were inaccessible. The inaccessibility was due to polling stations being located upstairs with no amenities for disabled persons or in areas with uneven terrain, which posed physical barriers,” said SAHRL high commissioner professor Talent Rusere.
Observations differ
In contrast, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) observer mission had a different view on accessibility for disabled voters at polling stations.
In its preliminary report, the regional body’s observers noted that accessibility for persons with disabilities was ensured at 87.5% of polling stations, with only 12.5% inaccessible.
“The inaccessibility arose due to polling stations being located upstairs with no amenities for disabled persons or in areas with uneven terrain, which posed physical barriers,” the report states.
The figures presented by the two missions relate only to polling stations they visited, as they did not visit all the stations, which numbered more than 4 500 nationwide.
Inclusivity praised
Meanwhile, in its report, the African Union election observer mission lauded the ECN for including people with disabilities as polling staff.
The continental observer group also pointed out that the disaggregation of registered voters with disabilities enabled the ECN to map the stations for voters with specific disabilities, allowing them to cater to their needs.
“The mission also noted ECN’s initiative to encourage people with disabilities to participate in the electoral processes by use of slogans that are appealing in voter education, such as the 'Touch and Feel' slogan for visually-impaired voters. Voter and civic education materials were available in braille while sign language was used to cater to the hearing impaired,” the report notes.
No help
Media reports highlighted how several voters with disabilities reportedly berated the ECN over alleged disability-unfriendly polling stations that failed to cater to their needs.
“Several people with disabilities who spoke to this publication said it was a nightmare for them to access voting centres and cast their votes. This is because most of the buildings had no ramps for people in wheelchairs or those who had trouble with stairs,” New Era reported.
The report further added that at some polling stations, no braille provision was made for the visually impaired.
In some areas, people with disabilities alleged that tents were set up in sandy and stony locations, making it difficult to navigate a wheelchair.
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