Bersih urges for expanded voting accommodations for disabled folk

KUALA LUMPUR – Election watchdog Bersih 2.0 has called for upgrades and improvement to facilities and accessibility options for disabled (PwD) individuals so they can exercise their constitutional right to vote.  

Acting Bersih 2.0 chief executive Ngeow Chow Ying said there is a lack of avenues for disabled folk to obtain verified information about their rights and voting, and that they usually choose to verify their details with trusted individuals, such as their family members. 

“Even though the federal constitution protects the rights of PwD, its provisions are specific and cannot be referred to in the event of discrimination towards this group. 

“People of this country have a tendency to display negative sentiments towards PwD, where matters like their right to vote and their grouses are usually not taken seriously,” she said during the Access for the Disabled Forum, reported The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal Getaran.

Ngeow said other challenges faced by the disabled community in trying to exercise their right to vote include the lack of access to information on upcoming elections, and the short time period afforded to them for early voting. 

As such, she urged for the early voting system to be improved and broadened to disabled voters who live outside their home states, and to allow those in more critical conditions send in their postal votes without having to visit physical polling stations. 

She added that election volunteers should also be adequately trained to handle and assist disabled individuals looking to cast their votes, adding that failing to assist them could be deemed as depriving them of a constitutional right. 

“The right to vote is equal for all according to Article 8 (1) and (2) under the federal constitution.  

“It states that everyone is equal from the eyes of the law, has a right to equal protection, and that there cannot be discrimination against citizens premised on their religion, race, lineage, place of birth, or gender, or any deficiencies they might have.” – The Vibes, June 4, 2022