On August 14, 2019, the Central Electoral Commission and UNDP Moldova have presented the results of the accessibility assessment of a series of polling stations. The event was the first of the recently launched campaign “Equal access for all in polling stations”. According to the study findings, out of 612 assessed polling stations - 432 stations are inaccessible, 174 are partially accessible and only 6 are fully accessible.
During the last three months, at the request of the CEC and UNDP Moldova, the local NGO “INFONET” Alliance and its partners have assessed the accessibility of 612 public buildings, from six regions of Moldova (Edinet, Hincesti and Causeni districts, Chisinau and Balti Municipalities and Gagauzia region), which represent more than 30 percent of all polling stations.The assessment was conducted by accessibility evaluators, volunteers and NGO staff from the targeted regions, including persons with different types of disabilities.
The assessment was focused on the following criteria:
- The sidewalk to the polling station (accessible only for 34% out of the total number of polling stations);
- The stairs and ramp (accessible - 11%);
- The front door (accessible - 41%);
- The hallway and/or corridor (accessible - 18%);
- The main hall of the polling station (accessible - 33%);
- The bathroom (accessible - 1%).
During the event opening, Dorin Cimil, Chairperson of the Central Electoral Commission, noted: “So far, no study or documents revealed the level of access to public buildings and, specifically, to buildings that host polling stations. That is why we have decided, the to assess, together with our partner UNDP Moldova, the accessibility of over 600 polling stations, which represent a premiere for Moldova. Considering that the Central Electoral Commission’s long-term goal is to assess all the 2,000 polling stations across the country, today’s result is just a first step for achieving this major objective”.
Andrea Cuzyova, UNDP Moldova Deputy Resident Representative, also mentioned: “Although, at the international level, the right to vote is a fundamental one, some citizens, especially voters with different types of disabilities, still face a series of obstacles when it comes to freely exercising their right to vote. Considering the preparations for the upcoming general local elections, I am convinced that the main findings and recommendations of the study to be presented today are of a particular interest for decision-makers and stakeholders, at the central and local level, and certain activities will be implemented to ensure the accessibility of the polling stations during the upcoming elections”.
The study “Equal access for all in polling stations” was developed in the framework of the “Enhancing democracy in Moldova through inclusive and transparent elections” Project, implemented by UNDP Moldova with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the British Embassy in Chisinau through the Good Governance Fund and the Embassy of the Netherlands through the Matra Program.