The electoral bodies, election runners and the central and local public authorities are to create conditions for ensuring the disabled people’s access to the electoral process. Thus, the polling places must be established in accessible public places outfitted with ramps and must have ballots in Braille, rulers, lamps or magnifying glass. Such provisions are contained in the regulations approved by the Central Election Commission (CEC) on January 26, IPN reports.

According to the CEC, the regulations are designed to ensure the unhampered and non-discriminatory access of the persons with disabilities to the electoral process and to guarantee their right to choose and be chosen. These were worked out based on the proposals formulated by representatives of nongovernmental organizations and were consulted publicly for being improved.

This way, the polling places must be practically adjusted to the needs of persons with locomotor disabilities and elderly persons, including groups with reduced mobility. These must be heated, if the temperatures are low, and must have a good lighting system. The bodies of the local public administration are responsible for setting up ramps at polling places.

The new regulations also stipulate the responsibilities of election runners. Thus, the persons with special needs have the right to be included in the lists of candidates by election competitors and to take an active part in the electoral process.