The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 15 per cent of the world’s population has a disability, with 80 per cent of these persons living in developing countries. PwDs may also include various ethnic, religious, socio-economic and gender groups. Elections should provide them an equal opportunity, with other citizens, to exercise their preferences and shape up the relevant political outcomes.
The mandate of the UN bodies coupled with the enabling country legislation and the support from the EMBs for participation in the electoral process has made a substantial impact in the removal of barriers to inclusion. Pioneering work has been done by international organizations, such as UNDP, WHO, NDI, IFES etc., to support inclusion and equal access through targeted voter education programs in many countries. Technology can help improve access to the voting process as demonstrated by the practice followed by many countries.
