BRIDGE Workshop on Disability Rights and Elections

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), in collaboration with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), conducted a three-day BRIDGE workshop on “Disability Rights and Elections” from October 29-31, 2024, in Lahore, Pakistan. Funded by USAID through the Inclusive Democratic Processes and Governance (IDPG) Project, this workshop aimed to promote inclusivity in Pakistan’s electoral process.

The workshop featured accredited facilitators, including an international facilitator (who joined virtually) and local trainers from IFES and ECP. It was attended by 25 participants, including 14 women, representing ECP and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) within the Gender and Disability Electoral Working Group (GDEWG). Sessions focused on clarifying key concepts, and challenging myths and stereotypes about persons with disabilities (PWDs) to help participants better understand societal biases and improve accessibility in electoral processes.

The workshop adopted a structured approach over its three days: The first day of the training focused on defining disability and understanding access terminology based on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The second day centered on PWD voting rights, with interactive exercises on polling station accessibility and discussions on barriers to equal participation. The last day of the training examined case studies on efforts by Election Management Bodies (EMBs), initiatives by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to mainstream gender and disability inclusively.

The workshop concluded with participants developing action plans to improve accessibility in Pakistan’s electoral process. Feedback reflected high satisfaction with the participatory format, revealing significant knowledge gains in pre- and post-workshop assessments. Participants valued the engaging methodologies and hands-on activities, noting that these interactive elements enabled a deeper understanding of accessible electoral processes. The event also strengthened advocacy networks, helping participants build strategies and tools to promote inclusive political engagement for PWDs in Pakistan.