DILI, 03 august 2021 (TATOLI)– Executive Director Ra’es Hadomi Timor Oan (RHTO) Joaozito dos Santos recommended the Government to prepare an accessible polling station for disabled voters in the presidential election 2022 and parliamentary election 2023.
“We demand the government to offer a range of polling stations to support disabled voters, for example, all polling stations must have a polling booth adapted for wheelchair users likewise there must be also a large print version of ballot papers that available in every polling station, along with aids to enable blind voters to mark their ballot papers without help,” Joãozito Tolt Tatoli today (August 3, 2021).
Mr. Santos added that it is important for the Government to set the toilets in every polling station during the elections,since many disabled voters had experienced difficulties when attending the elections last year.
“Some of my disabled friends were having stomach ache and there were no specific toilets for them to use, they feel unsafe, while some of my friends with disabled eye found it hard for them to vote since there were no print versions of ballot papers or printing braille prepare for them,” he said.
With regards to this, Mr. Santos hopes the Government will hear their complaints.
“We hope that our recommendation and our complaint will be considered by the Government to increase the number of disabled voters in the coming elections,” he said
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
