The working group for inclusive electoral process and rules consultations (DICON) held its second meeting at the National Assembly to consider ways to facilitate the electoral process for persons with disabilities.
Prof. Dr Marijana Pajvancic, member of the Judicial Research Centre, said that the rules and regulations for voting outside of designated polling stations, voting for the blind and persons in permanent housing facilities need to be more closely defined. The participants considered ways to advance and define the procedures concerning these issues and concluded that it is essential to submit possible solutions to the Republic Electoral Commission as soon as possible.
They also discussed how to apply for voting outside of polling stations and the criteria for the designation of polling stations, and Commissioner for Equality Brankica Jankovic announced that, to provide adequate voting information for persons with disabilities, a request will be sent to the Public Service that news and special shows concerning the elections use sign language and subtitles.
REC member Vesna Mizdrak briefed the attending on what the Republic Electoral Commission has done so far to improve the electoral process and presented the Guidebook for the assessment of accessibility of polling stations for persons with disabilities and Guidebook for polling station training, adopted by the REC on 4 March, which greatly improve the electoral process for persons with disabilities.
Mizdrak said that the local self-governments had established assessment teams for polling station accessibility, with persons with disabilities making up 22% of their members. She also added that the Republic Electoral Commission had conducted trainings for instructors of potential members of permanent and expanded polling boards with a special focus on the special rules for persons with disabilities.
One of the conclusions of the meeting was that it is essential to draft an action plan proposal for the proposed national strategy for the advancement of the position of persons with disabilities in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2020-2024.
On behalf of the Republic Electoral Commission the meeting was also attended by REC member Dragana Odovic.
