International Conference Explores Accessible Democracy & Adopts "Bill of Electoral Rights for Persons with Disabilities"
By Richard A. Soudriette, President, International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES)
 The work of democracy is not complete until the universal right to vote, and to participate on full and equal terms in the electoral process, is extended to all individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities.
Over four days from September 14-17, 2002, disability rights experts and activists, senior election administration officials, and international parliamentarians from 24 nations met in Sigtuna, Sweden to draft and advance a global "Bill of Electoral Rights for Persons with Disabilities."
This new "Bill of Electoral Rights" defines and promotes the universal right of people with disabilities in relation to all aspects of the electoral process, and the state's obligation to make this right a reality. In particular, the "Bill of Electoral Rights: highlights the right of voters with disabilities, including those who are blind, to vote in secret; the right to vote at public polling places that are accessible to voters with mobility limitations; and the right to vote without restriction to individuals with intellectual or psychiatric disabilities.
This first-ever global meeting on electoral access was organized and convened by the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), and the International Institute on Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), with financial support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
Featured at the close of this article is a copy of the Bill of Electoral Rights for Citizens with Disabilities, as well as a list of participants in this historic workshop, all of whom "signed" the declaration, and pledged to advance its spirit and intent in their work and throughout their networks.
Among the participants were representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Union from Namibia, South Africa, and Sri Lanka; representatives of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; disability leaders including Bengt Lindqvist, the UN Special Rapporteur on Disability, and individuals from Ghana, Guatemala, Hungary, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kosovo, Lesotho, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, and Zambia; and election leaders including Jean Pierre Kingsley, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, and others from Australia, Denmark, Ghana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Lesotho, the United Kingdom, and Zambia.
On behalf of the International Foundation for Election Systems, I urge you to join us to promote a global campaign of advocacy and reform to ensure that all individuals with disabilities can fully exercise their universal right to vote and to participate fully in the electoral process.
For additional information, please contact IFES Disability Advisor Jerry Mindes (jmindes@ifes.org), and refer to the new IFES website on this important issue: www.electionaccess.org
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