An Inclusive Election Guide developed in a Sub-Saharan Country

In the run-up to the 2015 elections in Burkina Faso, Light for the World facilitated solutions that removed barriers for persons with disabilities regarding political participation. An inclusive election guide was developed, ballots were printed in Braille, and legislative bodies hired people with disabilities to ensure equality.

Light for the World is an international disability and development NGO headquartered in Austria. Ahead of the 2015 National Elections in Burkina Faso it facilitated, monitored, documented, and implemented solutions that removed barriers for persons with disabilities regarding political participation. Among others, ballot papers were printed in Braille and legislative bodies hired persons with disabilities to ensure equitable. These good practices have further been shared with various West African stakeholders.

Problems Targeted

Few people with disabilities are registered to vote or have access to related messaging or voting systems.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

Organizations of persons with disabilities in Burkina Faso, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and the Independent National Electoral Commission, developed an Inclusive Electoral Guide, identifying the obstacles to the participation of people with disabilities in national elections. Built upon evidence from post-presidential election workshops in 2015, the guide proposes actions and recommendations that facilitate participation for persons with disability in national elections. The guide has initiated the production of ballot papers in Braille and the provision of access measures at all 18,910 polling stations in Burkino Faso. PSNCPP, a national umbrella organization, collects data on voter participation, and political parties have committed to developing an inclusive programme. One blind person was elected into the past transitional parliament, which is set to be renewed again. Furthermore, a blind lawyer has been elected to the transnational legislative assembly due to the political mainstreaming work of the project.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

The Inclusion Guide has been embedded into the electoral system, with funding provided entirely by the state and its financial partners. The Independent National Electoral Commission implements the inclusion policy, and organizations of persons with disabilities monitor the participation with support from the PSNCPP. Stakeholders continue to advocate for the guidelines, to provide training, and to monitor, evaluate, and collect data. Replication of the Inclusion Guide has begun via Light for the World, and a workshop has been held with various West African country representatives such as Fédération Ouest Africaine des Associations pour Personnes Handicapées.

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