Consider plight of people with disabilities

EDITOR — During the ongoing biometric voter registration (BVR) our hopes are that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) will take into consideration concerns raised by people living with disabilities.

Figures released by ZEC on the number of people registered so far under its biometric voter registration blitz are disappointing considering the excitement over next year’s harmonised elections.

The figures are a clear indication that ZEC needs to revise its requirements for registration, which could be causing the low turnout at registration centres.

By mid September this year, a senator representing people living with disabilities did raise the issue with ZEC to include sign language in voter education so as to make material and registration easily accessible to them.

People living with disabilities raised issues of an accommodating BVR system for the voting processes till the 2018 harmonised elections are conducted.

However, ZEC has not taken any action ever since the concerns were raised as they are yet to come up with a framework of policies to ensure that those living with disabilities are catered for in the polling processes.

There is need to engage communities so as to know their needs. Everyone should be accommodated and get a chance to vote in the 2018 elections.

Lovemore Kashawo, Harare.