All systems ready for disabled voters, says EBC  

Voters with disabilities are expected to cast their votes without difficulty on Wednesday, after electoral officials confirmed to disability advocates that polling stations across the island are fully prepared to accommodate their needs.

Concerns had been raised by members of the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) about the readiness of polling stations across the island and the Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (EBC) ability to accommodate persons with disabilities.  

But BCD vice-president Kerry-Ann Ifill said the EBC had given assurances that polling stations were prepared to meet those needs, referencing announcements issued by the Government Information Service (GIS).  

She said: “I believe they’re also putting measures in place to ensure that they have expedited lines for persons with disabilities, as well as checking the physical access of the various polling stations,” Ifill said. “Those are the measures that they have assured me have been put in place.”  

While noting that she had not personally visited every polling station, Ifill said she was informed that all locations are wheelchair accessible.  

According to the GIS announcement, voters who are blind, physically incapacitated, illiterate or mentally challenged may request assistance from the presiding officer at their assigned polling station on polling day.  

Blind or physically incapacitated voters must make an oral declaration upon arrival at the polling station, along with a written declaration on a special form. These voters may also choose to be assisted by a companion.  

Companions must be 18 years or older and may assist no more than two voters in any one constituency, with presiding officers required to record their particulars.  

Chief Electoral Officer Sherland Turton said accommodations had already been put in place for wheelchair users.  

“We would have already made arrangements to have ramps put in place at locations where they are required for persons who are wheelchair bound but still require access to the polling stations,” Turton said. “Provisions have always been made for them to be accompanied by a person of their choice to assist them with voting if need be.”  

She noted that while there are no specific measures in place for deaf voters, they will still be facilitated.  

“We don’t have any specific measures in place for persons who are deaf, but they can be accompanied by a companion of their choice who would assist them in the process if that is their particular challenge,” Turton explained.  

When questioned about the oral declaration process, Turton confirmed that companions would be permitted to make the declaration on behalf of the voter if necessary.  

Looking beyond election day, Ifill said she hopes discussions with the EBC will continue after the polls close to improve accessibility in future elections.  

“There are still other measures that could be put in place, but not by tomorrow,” she said. “I would like to hope that we can discuss those further post-election so that the next election period, whenever that happens, they wouldn’t be as pressured to get things in place before the actual election day.”