Voting rights for people with mental disabilities urged

Discussants at a seminar, “An election process friendly towards people with mental disabilities and our responsibilities”, organised by National Grassroots Disability Organization in the capital's The Daily Star Centre yesterday. Photo: Star

People with mental disabilities should be given the right to vote, said country director of ADD (Action on Disability and Development) International at a seminar organised by National Grassroots Disability Organization at The Daily Star Centre in the capital yesterday.
ADD Country Director Mosharraf Hossain said according to the constitution, a person, who is considered to have an "unsound mind" by a court, neither can contest in the polls nor can cast a vote.
Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Mohammad Jabed Ali said such provision could be considered to be amended in the future.
To facilitate the physically challenged people, speakers urged that the voting centres must be housed on the ground floors as walking upstairs is often difficult for such people.
Nargis, a participant, said she was not registered in the voter lists as she had visual impairment.
Visually impaired people have to rely on the election officers, having the risk of disclosure of their votes or being misled to vote the wrong symbol, said participants. Lawmaker Junaid Ahmed Palak said they should be aided by personal companions.