To foster inclusive participation in the upcoming National Assembly elections, the Election Commission of Bhutan along with the Draktsho Vocational Training Centre conducted a voter education programme for persons with disabilities, last Friday. According to the ECB, they will work with civil society organisations to facilitate and provide services to persons with disabilities.
According to the election commission, the programme is in line with the commission’s vision of having an inclusive election process.
However, the commission is currently facing the challenges of not being able to get details of all the people living with disabilities.
“We expect to get the details of all with disabilities. Based on that we can facilitate them to vote, if not in the upcoming elections, in the future elections. We will try to make all possible facilities for different requirements of different disabilities,” said Phub Dorji, Director of Secretariat.
The director added that data on people with disabilities is being collected so that the office can facilitate timely and adequate election-related services.
Meanwhile, the Draktsho office says that this collaboration would empower persons living with disabilities to be a part of civic engagement and actively participate in the decision-making process.
“We are trying to equip students with advocacy skills so that they need not have to rely on third-party advocates like their teachers and parents. They will be able to advocate their rights and fight for their own issue,” said Tshewang Dendup, the project coordinator of Draktsho Vocational Training Centre.
Similarly, Gyem Lhamo, a Draktsho student says she is grateful to have the opportunity to learn about the electoral process.
“I am 20 years old, but I did not take the opportunity to vote. The election officers taught how the electoral machine works. So, henceforth, I know how to vote.”
“Most of the people know how to vote. However, for people with different disabilities, some of whom are physically disabled, and some are intellectually disabled. It takes time for them to learn something. The election officers coming in front of them and demonstrating the mechanisms of the EVM would help them,” said Wangmo, a member of Phensem Parents Support Group.
During the programme, the ECB talked about the five registered political parties, electoral laws, ethical use of social media, and refraining, resisting, and reporting corrupt practices.
The programme was funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives with technical support from the Helvetas Bhutan.
Tashi Yangden
Edited by Sherub Dorji
