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UN General comment on the rights of persons with disabilities to political and public life

Posted in National; Tagged Government; Posted 12 months ago Less than a minute to read

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To: United Nations
Date: February 2025

 

Purpose

This submission’s primary purpose is to remove the barriers to disabled people's full participation in New Zealand's electoral and political processes.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA acknowledges the positive measures taken by the Electoral Commission, such as expanding voting places into public spaces, increasing advance voting options, and piloting NZ Sign Language (NZSL) interpreters for the Deaf community.

However, DPA notes that electoral participation by disabled people has slightly declined. DPA references the Electoral Commission's report on the 2023 election, which found that fewer disabled people cast a ballot in the 2023 general election when compared to the 2020 election.

Key ongoing barriers include the requirement for voters to state their name verbally at polling places, which DPA considers an "unfair imposition" for those unable to communicate verbally and a violation of UNCRPD obligations. DPA recommends allowing other forms of communication for identification. Another significant barrier is the lack of a secret ballot for blind, deafblind, and low vision people, who must rely on third parties to mark their ballots. Furthermore, DPA supports extending voting rights to all prisoners, noting that a disproportionate number of prisoners, particularly tāngata whaikaha disabled Māori, identify as disabled.

 

Key Recommendation/Finding:

DPA has long recommended that the Electoral Commission and Government address this barrier through further development of the telephone dictation voting service and targeted electronic voting options.

 

Supporting Statement 1:

"They must rely on third parties to mark their ballot, and this can include family/whānau, friends, support workers or polling staff”

 
 

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DPA Submission 2502 UN General comment on the rights of persons with disabilities to political and public life (DOCX)

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