People with disabilities (PWDs) are demanding amendments in the national electoral laws that still deny them full rights to participate fully during elections. The call was made yesterday during a meeting that brought together PWDs organised by NOUSPR, a national organisation for psychiatrists. The meeting was aimed at discussing ways on how to empower survivors of mental problems. The director of NOUSPR, Sam Badege, said some articles concerning people with disabilities in the electoral law limit them from fully engaging in the electoral process.According to the PWDs, for one to stand for a particular post, one should possess at least an A-level certificate yet some find it difficult to acquire education due to their disabilities.“We want the electoral law on PWDs to be restructured because it’s really limiting the involvement of the concerned community in the democratic process,” said Badege.“We would be very satisfied if the electoral commission adopts the international law which provides freedom to whoever wants to run for a position during elections in the PWDs community.”The national electoral law also requires a person who has ever got a mental disorder to provide a medical document in order to vote. Badege said that that does not only isolate the disabled but also hurts them.“By demanding such requirements you may make their situation worse,” he added.The president of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Chrysologue Karangwa, admitted there are some articles that should be amended especially those concerning PWDs elections.“We proposed some changes such as minimising the academic qualifications of PWDs as we are also making an effort in getting some required facilities they need during elections,” said Karangwa.However, on the medical requirements of people who once suffered mental disorders, Karangwa said that it would not change.The meeting also talked about the persistent issues that still prevent people with disabilities from fully exercising their rights in the public service, citing society’s failure to respect their rights. The Constitution protects PWDs rights.It is reported that some employers unfairly deny employment to people with disabilities, even when they have the skills needed. According to the labour law, when an able-bodied person receives the same result as a person living with disability in a job interview, the latter must be considered. According to the 2002 national census 3.5 per cent of the country’s population lived with disabilities mostly attributed to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, whereas the World Health Organisation says that almost 10 per cent of the population in the developing countries live with disabilities.
