BRIDGE workshop on Disability Rights and Elections

The BRIDGE workshop on Disability Rights and Elections, held from October 16 to 18, 2024, at Marriott Karachi, was organized by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in collaboration with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). This pivotal initiative was aimed at promoting accessibility and inclusion in Pakistan’s electoral processes and was part of the broader effort to ensure the electoral framework is inclusive of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The workshop was led by five BRIDGE accredited facilitators, including Pavel Cabacenco (international facilitator), who joined and facilitated the workshop online; Kulsoom Akhtar Miraj and Aslam Brohi from IFES, and Abdullah Shah and Abdul Wahid from the ECP and attended by 23 participants including 14 Female and 4 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The participants represented the Election Commission of Pakistan and various Civil Society Organizations that are part of the ECP’s Gender and Disability Electoral Working Group (GDEWG). The workshop was designed keeping in view the following objectives:

·       To emphasize the importance of accessibility and full participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Pakistan’s electoral processes.

·       To identify barriers in all phases of the electoral process that can limit the access of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to participate in political and public life and identify solutions for dismantling these barriers.

·       To provide a networking opportunity for advocacy groups and specific tools to analyze the electoral structures and procedures and develop strategies to promote access for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

·       To emphasize the importance of consultation processes with Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and their representative organizations throughout the electoral cycle – from post-election analysis through design of materials and procedures – in order to identify and remove barriers that limit political participation.

The workshop spanned three days and was designed in a way that the first day was allocated to the concept clarity about the subject, the second day to identifying barriers and challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in their public life and political participation. In contrast, the third day was more focused on the strategies, recommendations, and solutions to the problems faced by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The workshop commenced with the opening remarks by Mr. Nazar Abbas (Joint Provincial Election Commissioner, Sindh). The sessions began with defining disability and access, where participants understood key terminologies and concepts with reference to the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, CRPD. Another major aspect of the workshop was discussions on the impacts of myths and stereotypes related to PWDs, which challenged participants to reflect on societal biases. The day concluded with a detailed exploration of the different models of disability and the language of rights, offering participants insights into how the interdependence of rights affects persons with disabilities. On Day 2, the emphasis shifted to the principles of disability rights, with sessions covering voting restrictions, CRPD provisions on political participation, and barriers to equal access. A role-playing exercise on accessible and inaccessible polling stations allowed participants to put theory into practice. Day 3 explored the initiatives of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) to advance access issues, including case studies and discussions on ECP and NADRA’s efforts to mainstream gender and disability in elections.

The workshop provided the opportunity to the participants to make several recommendations such as the need for systemic changes to enhance PWD participation in elections. Key suggestions included digitalizing the PWD registration process and allowing CSOs to assist in remote areas for those without mobile access. Participants also called for broader representation and awareness campaigns beyond District Voter Education Committees (DVECs) to ensure more comprehensive inclusion of PWDs, as DVECs have only one representation from PWDs. Another critical recommendation was the introduction of a PWD quota within political parties, similar to the existing gender quota (mandates that political parties must nominate women for at least 5% of the total seats they contest in general elections for the National and Provincial Assemblies), to ensure their active participation in elections. Local government support was deemed necessary for effective implementation, along with pre-election surveys to identify areas with significant populations of PWDs. Finally, improve NADRA’s service delivery to facilitate PWD voter registration through a one-window operation, where PWDs can access services from NADRA, the Social Welfare Department (SWD), and the ECP at a single point. This integrated approach streamlines the process, allowing PWDs to obtain their disability certificate from SWD, complete registration with NADRA, and ensure their inclusion in the electoral process without the need to visit multiple departments.

The workshop concluded with participants developing actionable strategies and making concrete commitments to promote accessibility and advance disability inclusion in political and public life. Participants expressed that the knowledge and tools gained during the workshop will have a lasting impact, equipping them to foster more inclusive and accessible political participation for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Additionally, the workshop provided a valuable networking platform for advocacy groups, enabling them to collaborate on shared goals. With specific tools to analyze electoral structures and procedures, participants are better prepared to develop and implement strategies to enhance PWDs’ access and representation in political processes.

The pre-and post-assessment results showed a significant increase in knowledge, reflecting the overall effectiveness of the training. The participants provided positive feedback on the workshop, appreciating the engaging content and interactive sessions, and particularly valued the practical exercises, which allowed them to apply the knowledge gained during the workshop. The feedback reflected that the training’s participatory approach and diverse methodologies made it highly beneficial.

The workshop was closed with the remarks of Mr. Ali Asghar Sial (Provincial Election Commissioner-Sindh), followed by the certificate distribution ceremony.