Violating disabled persons’ right to vote
"Heritage" sounds the alarm:
Different non-governmental organizations protecting the rights of 164,368 disabled persons with the right to vote in Armenia, particularly the "Protection of the Interests of Disabled Persons" NGO Alliance, sounds the alarm that the participation of disabled persons in the upcoming elections is at risk due to different reasons.
Eighty-five percent of the polling stations are inappropriate for persons who have problems with moving because since most of the polling stations are located in schools and there are no ramps for deaf citizens who don't accept any person's interference, because in that case, the confidentiality of election is not ensured, and the same goes for visually impaired voters.
What is the Central Electoral Commission doing to protect the right of our disabled citizens to vote and to ensure their participation?
Based on surveys conducted by Full Life NGO, the accessibility of polling stations for citizens with limited mobility is at the lowest level in the Shirak and Aragatsotn provinces. Question: why aren't school buildings and other types of buildings suitable for the disabled in Shirak province where there are mainly new buildings? Why has the Ministry of Urban Development breached for years and continues to breach the RA law "On Urban Development" and isn't accommodating the buildings for the disabled?
Why isn't the government paying proper attention to the ongoing calls of non-governmental organizations in Yerevan and the provinces? What is the government doing to help disabled citizens exercise their right to free mobility? We can say it is doing nothing. Neither the Ministry of Urban Development nor the municipality is aware of making transportation and the street underground passageways suitable, and local self-government bodies aren't attentive to building ramps at schools.
However, I must say once again that in 2010, the Republic of Armenia ratified the UN Convention "On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" by which it assumed all obligations to ensure equal opportunities for the disabled. In other words, we record once again that Armenia has ratified only to declare that it has joined the international convention. The reality shows that the rights of the majority of disabled persons in Armenia are violated due to the government's indifference and lack of activity. "Heritage" Party joins the calls of the disabled and demands that the government ensure the proper implementation of the disabled persons' right to vote to the fullest.
