For as long as voting can remember, Nikos, 46, who has been in a wheelchair since he was 18, remembers the process as “reductive.” For the last 15 years he has been exercising his voting rights in the area of ​​the Red Mill, in a school with many steps at the entrance. Thus, he participates in the elections from his car, and each time the judicial representative drives up to the driver’s window with ballots in his hands.

A different process is expected in the upcoming elections, as for the first time there will be “Specially equipped areas” for people with disabilities, according to the provision added to the law “5043/2023” (regulation on local self-government). Grade “a” and “b” governing bodies and the Pet Welfare Regulations).

In particular, in each polling station, where it is not possible for all polling stations to be located on the ground floor and meet accessibility criteria, operation of the reception and support zone for voters with disabilities and reduced mobility. Separate rooms will be located on the ground floor of each school, as close as possible to the entrance.

Municipalities are responsible for creating these spaces. Schools that require such departments will have a municipal officer who will be responsible for the orderly operation of the territory, the reception of voters and communication with the judicial representative.

In practice, the following will happen: upon the arrival of the voter, the judicial representative is informed who will go to a specially designated place, providing the citizen with a disability with all the ballots and the required folder. If necessary, the voter may appear on the screen with his companion, if he so desires, and the presence of a legal representative is necessary. After the voter leaves, the court representative takes the envelope, takes it to the respective polling station and puts it in the ballot box.

It is noted that for the first time the entrance to the reception area is allowed along with an assistant dog (guide dog) for people with disabilities.

Secrecy of the vote required

HOUR Joanna Maria Herzua longtime activist for the rights of the blind and visually impaired, and chairman of the board of directors of the Lara Guide Dog Training School for the Blind, looks thoughtful.

As for the placement of guide dogs for people with disabilities in specially designated areas, she considers this a very positive development, since the right to use guide dogs for citizens with disabilities, mainly with visual impairments, has been officially recognized.

“Very often, both private and public services deny us the exercise of our right, although it is protected,” emphasizes Ms. Herzu, expressing her main objection to this. “The fact that I have to be with my person and legal representative inside the screen to vote does not seem practical to me. I wonder how the three of us will fit on such a screen, did they provide for this? he wonders.

But even more important for Mrs. Gertsova is the issue of secrecy of the vote. “We could vote with Braille ballots, as happens, for example, when we vote in elections in bodies addressed to the blind. Or with the application with which we will use the headphones. There are solutions. We just need an organization and, of course, for each municipality to collect how many such people it has on its lists. I want to vote with complete freedom, alone at the screen, as all citizens do. This is the main decision.”

“For first time worthy process”

OUR Ioannis Vardakastanis, president of the National Confederation of the Disabled, notes in an interview with “K” that the new regulation does not solve the problem as a whole. “We want all schools to be fully accessible and not need specially designed spaces at all,” he says, but emphasizing that a solution that ensures integrity and dignity in the voting process. “This is a very important step.. While we do not support the notion of “special” for people with disabilities, as it perpetuates stigma, the shameful process of citizen voting on the sidewalk is now coming to an end.”

He even emphasizes that this decision concerns not only citizens with disabilities, but also citizens with temporary difficulties in movement – for example, pregnant women, a person who has broken his leg, an elderly person who moves with great difficulty, etc. Municipal authorities, however, they had to ensure not only the orderly functioning of these premises, but also the removal of any obstacles until the citizen reached the hall.

“Don’t forget that accessibility problems often start before you even enter a school,” he says characteristically, expressing optimism that municipalities will take care of these problems. “This will be seen in practice next Sunday,” concludes Mr. Vardakastanis.

The President of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece agrees with this opinion. Dimitris Papastergiouwho tells “K” that there has been a period of one month since the passage of the law, so that the municipalities could arrange, at least temporarily, unhindered access to the school building.

As for Nikos, he also wants to find out in practice. “If the municipality doesn’t take care to install a ramp at the entrance to the school so that I can get to this specially designed room, what will happen? I will never again in my life allow my friends to lift me with a stroller in their hands so that I can vote.