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Disability
is not Inability |
:: TICK TOCK TO 2007 GENERAL ELECTIONS : WHAT ADJUSTMENTS
BY ECK TO ENFRANCHISE VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES:
| The main challenges for the emacipation
of the disability community in kenya is the lack of political
representation necessary to enable implementation
of at the very least the disability ACT or
distribution of resuorces in a manner that empowers us. |
|
The Persons
W/Disability ACT 2004 gave the disability community
specific CIVIC RIGHTS
that empower participation.
The push for more access to political power in Kenya by the disability
community is undeniable. What preparations does the Electoral
Commission of Kenya (ECK) have? What civic
education is necessary to empower effective participation?
What disability agenda should be promoted this election year?
Why
PWDs need to participate in the forthcoming elections...
The electoral commission need to make the playing field more accessible
for the voters with disabilities. The ECK is fond of saying it
has no power to execute its responsibilities. The Commisioners
of Elections may not have all it takes to ensure that our rights
as PWDs are considered, but they can do more. We can ensure the
Electoral Code of
Conduct is adhered to and all rights of people with
disabilities are respected during voting process.
As much as we would encourage an independent ECK with more powers
and resources drawn directly from Treasury (and not through Ministry
of Justice). we also hope they will have more space required to
implement the mandate given according to the Electoral
Code of Conduct. We need an Electoral Code that recognises
the special needs of voters with disabilities and ECK to lay out
specific rules on how voters with various special needs are served
should they seek electoral positions or vote.
During the referendum at Makadara Constituency when we went to
vote at Harambe Primary polling station we were about six people
with hearing impairments and one interpreter. We got some significant
assistance from the Returning officers. They allowed interpretation
from sign language interpretars of our choice, and supervised
his work. The station was peaceful as people queued and voted.
This could not be the case in many constituencies in other areas.
colleugeus reports from polling stations like in Kasarani and
Embakasi showed that they were not able to voted with such ease
as us. Security is not guarunteed and rowdy youths doing things
and shouting in stations is common. People just start running....
ECK should specifically ensure violence in and around polling
stations is not allowed. This is one of the main risks for PWDs
during electioneering periods. The same way its important to give
ECK prosecutorial powers to enable them manage Violence, bribery
and all activities that break electoral code.
:: PWDs Civic
Rights...
:: Electoral Code
of Conduct.
:: Section 34A NAPEA
:: Civic
Rights in readiness for elections
:: PWD
needs to participate in elections
:: Civic Education.
disabilitykenya.
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