Election Access Observation Report: Guyana – Summary
Local Government Elections 2023
Background:
Recognizing the importance of inclusion and accessibility, the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), with the support of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) under the USAID Youth Advocacy, Linkages, Leadership in Elections and Society (Youth ALLIES) program, conducted a comprehensive accessibility observation during Guyana’s 2023 Local Government Elections (LGE). The full report integrates an analysis of the legal landscape, real-time observations conducted on election day (June 12, 2023), access audits of registration sites conducted in
September 2023, and interviews with voters with disabilities to provide an understanding of the accessibility of this election process as well as make recommendations for strengthening access for all.
Key Findings:
- More than half (55.9%) of polling stations had steps, and only 12.3% of these had ramps. The majority (87.1%) of observed polling stations were located on the ground floor, however, only 1.4% of polling stations not on the ground floor had an elevator or lift to make it accessible.
- Only 22.2% of polling stations had washroom facilities accessible for persons with disabilities and only 30% of polling stations had enough seating available for those who need it.
- Just over half (51.7%) of polling stations had obstacle-free access to the voting booth
- Neither tactile ballots and marking guides nor braille or audio voter guides were observed; it was not possible for voters who are blind or low-vision to vote independently and in secret.
- Most (78.5%) polling stations had ballot marking tables positioned low enough for all voters to access; however, only 46% of polling stations provided adequate space at the voting booth for persons with wheelchairs or walkers
- Less than half of polling stations (43.5%) provided written information for voters with auditory disabilities
- Most (71.2%) polling stations had poll workers who reported receiving training on how to support persons with disabilities
- The vast majority of surveyed voters with disabilities indicated that they had received adequate information about the voting process (94.5%) and that they had enough time to vote (89.1%). However, only 54.5% reported that traditional media had provided enough electoral information accessible for persons with disabilities and only 49.1% reported the same for political parties.
- Most (80%) registration centers had stairs leading up to the entryway and only 28% of them had ramps to allow for access of voters with physical disabilities.
Recommendations:
- Polling locations and facilities: Polling stations should be located on the ground floor with either step-free access or an appropriate ramp. If polling stations are not on the ground floor, there must be adequate accessibility features, such as elevators or lifts, so that people with disabilities can vote in persons. Washroom facilities and seating areas similarly need to be accessible.
- Accessible entry and interior of polling stations: Adequate parking should be made available for persons with disabilities at polling stations. Entryways and the interior of polling stations should be free of obstacles and allow wheelchair users enough space to navigate freely, including enough space to enter the voting booth. Voting booths should be placed at a far enough distance so that people cannot overhear conversations around marking ballots between a voter and their assistant.
- Reasonable accommodations and accessible materials: The law in Guyana should specify that reasonable accommodations must be put into place to allow people with disabilities to vote independently and in-secret. Assistive materials, such as tactile ballot guides, should be deployed so that people who are blind can vote independently.
- Training of Election Staff: Most polling stations had trained staff to provide assistance to persons with disabilities during voting; staff should receive further training on how to set up a polling station for maximum accessibility.
- Provision of assistance: Voters with disabilities should be allowed to select an assistant of their choice, rather than be limited to one who is registered at the same polling station.
- Electoral participation of persons with disabilities: There were few polling staff with disabilities observed, and voters with disabilities noted the need for more accessible information from the media and parties. All electoral actors should take steps to increase the participation of persons with disabilities in all electoral roles.
Please see full Report below:
