Brest activists ask for more accessibility at polling stations
Representatives of the civil initiative Social Office have sent petitions to the territorial election commissions in Brest, asking to improve access for the physically handicapped persons at the city’s polling stations.
According to a Social Office activist, Yury Zhydovich, the NGO has been approached by a group of persons with disabilities asking for assistance in solving the problems of access to polling stations during the vote scheduled for October 11.
“Earlier, this category of voters could vote at home, as many polling stations do not have adequate conditions for wheelchair users,” says Yury Zhydovich. “Many polling stations are located in improperly equipped buildings with no ramps and other devices for persons with disabilities. In addition, in some cases, polling stations are situated on the upper floors.”
On the eve of the upcoming presidential election, some voters said they would come to the polling stations, rather than invite members of election commissions to their homes. According to Yury Zhydovich, this, on the one hand, allows people with disabilities to be active and feel more independent from life circumstances, and, on the other hand, it also facilitates the work of election commissions.