Rural communities call for improved voting system for PWDs

Siyabonga Moyo

As the 2023 harmonised elections draw closer,  Nkayi rural communities  feel the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) can still do more to make the voting process friendlier for people living with disabilities (PWDs). 

The Constitution of Zimbabwe upholds the rights of persons with disabilities including in electoral processes. Section 155 of the Constitution also compels the state to facilitate voting by persons with disability or special needs. This can be achieved by providing inclusive facilities like the use of large print ballot paper, sign language interpreters, using facilities with ramps and rails on polling stations among other accessories.

However, in 2018 the courts dismissed a case in which Advocate Mateta was seeking an order to compel ZEC to ensure that visually impaired persons vote using braille ballots.

A brief research done by community podium revealed that in marginalised areas like Nkayi have people with disability are sidelined from civic activities like voting and public hearings. This was attributed to the under development of infrastructure, spaced polling stations which would need one to travel longer distances and other proceedures which are not completely inclusive of people with physical, social and mental challenges.

Bridget Mpofu, a co-founding member of Isibaya Sabatsha Nkayi Youth Development Trust (ISNYDT) highlighted the challenges faced by PWDs in public participation which included long distances to polling stations, user unfriendly equipment and the unavailability of trained personel. She implored ZEC to be cognisant of the need to cater for people with disability. 

“People living with disabilities often end up failing to perform their civic duties because of hindering factors in our rural communities like distances and terrain, non-availability of user friendly toilets and facilities and a general lack of knowledge by the public on how to assist and include them. Even though issues like surfaced roads to cater for the smooth mobility of people using motion aids like wheel chairs and crutches might be a long shot, we would like to see a situation whereby polling stations have ramps, large print media and trained personell who will best assist someone with any challenge so that they can exercise their right to vote without difficulty,” said Mpofu.

Qhawe Ncube from ward 16 in the Dolahali area, who has a son with disability challenged the electoral body to start looking into creating a mobile voting system that can cater for citizens that are now confined to homes or have limited movement.

“Some cases are dire in our communities, however, some people might be completely immobile but they can still make sound judgement and participate in important processes like voting. It is the duty of the electoral body to find strategies that leave no one behind. I would suggest a mobile voting system that would promote equity and allow all citizens to vote without impediments ” he said.

Another resident of Nkayi, Gift Makoni  added that improvement of voting systems in catering for people with disability would go a long way in promoting a friendly environment as well as reduce voter apathy.

“The Zimbabwe Electoral Council has over the years given first preference to the elderly and people living with disability during election periods, which is commendable. However there is room for improvement in that respect, specialist training needs to be part of the induction process for polling officers and ZEC could at least have a register for people who would need special help so as to deploy officers accordingly. A research  on more inclusive voting systems that embraces technology would be a huge step towards reducing any challenges faced by people living with disability,” said Makoni.

ZEC has also been hailed by the public for the intense voter education extension and voter registration blitz that ended recently. However rural communities feel that the commission could do even better by providing more diverse information through multi media to encourage participation of people with disability.

Data shows that many PWDs remain disenfranchised in the electoral process. According to a 2013 UNICEF and Ministry of Health and Child Care study on the Living conditions among disabled people, Zimbabwe had a prevalence of 7% PWDs. Based on an estimated total population of 13 million, they are potentially 900,000 individuals, with at least 450,000 being eligible voters. Statistics from ZEC show that only 29,803 were registered for the 2018 elections. The number of those who actually voted is yet to be determined.