The right to vote of persons with physical and visual disabilities : a case study of Nepal

Abstract

In Nepal, persons with physical and visual disabilities are highly discriminated and ostracized because of deep-rooted social stratification and neglect. They are confronted with barriers that hinder them further from exercising their right to vote. This study looks into the various challenges that persons with physical and visual disabilities face in exercising their right to vote. In relation to the barriers, Nepal's current compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was examined. This research precisely goes into Article 29 that explicitly states that persons with disabilities must relish equal opportunities in voting and running for elections. Qualitative sampling methods were employed for this study and election observers, disabled peoples' organizations, the Election Commission of Nepal, and voters with visual and physical impairments were interviewed for this study. The research findings show that Nepal has not fully complied and enacted Article 29 (a) of CRPD. Due to Nepal's sporadic topography and ban on the mobility of vehicle on the election day, voters with physical and visual disabilities, especially in the hilly and mountainous areas, are coerced to walk for hours to reach the nearest polling precinct. The polling booths do not have grab bars, ramps, or other disability friendly facilities. Although they are prioritized and given a separate line during polls, Braille ballots are not made available for persons with visual impairment. Voters with physical and visual disabilities have been yearning to have accessible polling booths and automated elections in lieu of the arduous manual electoral scheme. A number of visually-impaired voters echoed concerns about maintaining the confidentiality of their ballot, given that relatives and election assistants ink the ballots on their behalf. These factors impede persons with disabilities in claiming their basic human rights, chiefly their right to suffrage and participation in public life.