20A Should Ensure: ‘Voting Accessible To All Voters’

By Ajith C. S. Perera –May 8, 2015 

Dr. Ajith Perera

Entitled 20th Amendment, we are about to bring reforms to Chapter XIV of our Constitution concerning elections, in the larger interest of the country and its people.

Every citizen of Sri Lanka who qualifies under article 88 has the right to vote and furthermore, to be entitled to vote his name shall be entered in the appropriate register of electors.

We still believe everyone fulfilling both these criteria the Constitution stipulates shall afforded a hindrance-free opportunity to go to cast his vote with dignity and safety.

However, this is not the reality!

The bitter truth

People with restricted mobility, stability and vision, often face considerable barriers in reaching the ballot box – metaphorically and physically.

I am aware of many people who very much had the desire to go and cast their valuable vote but have been reluctantly compelled to refrain from exercising this democratic right due to red tape involved in filling forms, getting prior approvals, etc., as well as overcoming the hindrances of safety hazards and physical barriers either in approaching their polling stations and / or accessing their voting booths, even if accompanied by a helper.

Research indicates that significant numbers of these eligible voters, especially the elders and those using wheelchairs, are often discouraged, marginalised or deprived of the opportunity to vote and thus unable to enjoy this democratic right for franchise.

As such article 88 of our Constitution as it stands today, fails to provide the constitutional protection for equal opportunity for all – especially the largest minority group of our people – to ENJOY the democratic right to franchise enabling the approach / enter polling stations and access / use the voting booths with safety and with dignity.

Reforming article 88, hence, is an indispensable high priority need – See the last para.

Justice delayed is justice denied; Effects so …..many

In many districts, casting their vote could become the crucial deciding factor.

Accessibility of polling stations and voting booths, regardless of the degree of mobility, stability and sight, is thus of vital importance.                                                 Read More