Charities draw up probing amendments

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Luciana Berger and the Rt Hon Alun Michael are amongst two MPs tabling probing amendments to the Parliamentary Voting and Constituencies Bill, to ensure greater access to democracy for people with disabilities.

The bill, which will provide a referendum for people to choose between the existing first-past-the-post electoral system and the alternative vote (AV) system, is currently making its way through the House of Commons and is being discussed in detail today (Tuesday), in a committee of the whole house.

RNIB, Mencap and Scope, three leading disability charities, are behind the probing amendments designed to draw out key areas for debate and highlight some of the barriers that disabled people have encountered in successive local, European and general elections.

Led by Scope and supported by a coalition of charities, the 'Polls Apart' campaign has been working hard to deliver an evidence-based approach for more accessible elections for disabled voters over the last decade.

There was outrage in both the media and political establishment during the 2010 election, when scenes were transmitted of the electorate being denied access to polling stations.

Unfortunately this is something disabled people experience every year, at every election, for every tier of government since emancipation. 2010 was no different.

Alun Michael MP said:

"We all saw queues at polling stations during the General Election and the difficulties people had when trying to vote.

"Blind and partially sighted people have those problems at every election when they are unable to read the ballot papers and election notices. It also impacts on elderly people who want to go on doing their democratic duty despite of failing eyesight.

"Ensuring that everyone who is entitled to can vote at in an election is the minimum standard if we are to think of ourselves as a democracy."

Following the 2010 election, 'Polls Apart' carried out a survey of disabled people which revealed some shocking results.

Sixty-seven per cent of polling stations had accessibility problems such as poor access for people with mobility issues, and nearly half of all polling stations failed to display a large-print ballot paper – a drop of 31 per cent since the 2005 general election survey.

Speaking to ePolitix.com, Steve Winyard head of campaigns at RNIB said, "this year saw a startling drop in accessibility at polling stations, particularly for blind and partially sighted people."

He added, "In the most significant election since 1997 it is disgraceful that blind and partially people are still being denied their right to vote because of antiquated ballot papers and poor practices by returning officers who face no consequences for failing to make elections accessible."

Ruth Scott, director of policy and campaigns at Scope reiterated this point:

"There is a pressing need for clearer accountability over how elections are delivered, to help improve the accessibility of current voting methods, as well as expanding these to include alternative methods.

"Unless this happens disabled people will continue to struggle to exercise their right to vote," she said.

All amendments due to be tabled will seek to address a number of issues, including the role of the Electoral Commission in ensuring disabled people have a clear and independent understanding of the purpose of the referendum and the changes it will bring, without the political motivations of the respective 'yes' and 'no' campaigns.

The charities also see the bill as an opportunity for the government to reaffirm its commitment to equality and inclusion by committing to produce ballot papers in accessible formats.