Introduction

• Author: European Economic and Social Committee
• Pages: 3-5

Ensuring voting rights for persons

with disabilities

All adult Europeans, including those with disabilities, have the right to vote

in national and European Parliament elections. This right is based upon many

binding legal documents, including the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the

Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

Unfortunately, across the EU, many persons with disabilities cannot exercise

their full voting rights. A report by European Economic and Social Committee

(EESC) rapporteur Krzysztof Pater estimates that around 800 000 EU citizens

in 16 EU countries are legally deprived by national rules of their right to

vote in elections to the European Parliament because of their disabilities

or mental health problems.

These and millions of other citizens are not able to vote for a number of

reasons. For example, many persons with disabilities are assigned a polling

station based on their place of residence that cannot accommodate their

needs. Given the option, many would change their polling station. However,

in 12 EU countries, national legislation does not allow voters to change their

polling station without changing their place of residence.

INTRODUCTION

Breaking down the barriers 3