BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
ARRANGEMENTS for persons with disability in Solomon Islands to improve access in polling stations during the period of elections have been included in the Electoral Act 2018.
This change has been included since the new Electoral Act 2018, and strives for inclusiveness at any election period.
Speaking at a recent Media conference, the Solomon Islands Chief Electoral Officer Mr Moses Saitala said arrangements for persons with special needs to help them access polling stations is included in this Act.
CEO Saitala voiced that they have been including this matter because it is one crucial issue raised during discussions on the bill in terms of assisting them in ensuring that they can register and cast their ballots during elections.
He said when the polling day arrives special polling booth will be erected for them (People with special needs).
“For now we are already doing something to assist them on how they can register and cast their ballots.
“Hence we are now working on ensuring all polling stations on flat grounds so they can able to access the designated booth in this election period but however we still encounter difficulties due to geographical location,” said Saitala.
He this new included change comes under the Conduct of Election (Arrangement for Voting).
