1. Inclusion of PWDs in the Electoral Process Zambia Case Study
Presented by:
DYLAN BWALYA KASONDE
DIRECTOR – ICT
ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA

2. Inclusion of PWDs in the Electoral Process Zambia Case Study

3. ZAMBIA Population of about 16million 6.6m Registered Voters
General Elections held every 5 years
10 Provinces
109 Districts (Elected Mayor/Council Chairpersons)
156 Constituencies (Elected Members of Parliament)
1,624 Wards (Elected Councillors)
7,700 Polling Stations

4. Legal Framework Charters
UN Charter on Human Rights
AU Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance
Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act No.2 of 2016
Electoral Commission Act No.25 of 2016
Electoral Process Act No.35 of 2016
PWD Act of 2012
EMB Regulations and Policies

5. 2016 General Elections – PWDs Voter Statistics
Blind and literate in Braille – 1,459
Blind and not literate in Braille – 5,856
Wheel Chair – 608
Deaf – 1,165
TOTAL = 9,088

6. 2016 General Elections – PWDs Voter Statistics
Description/Age Group
18-25 Yrs
26-35Yrs
36-55Yrs
Over 55Yrs
Sub Total
Deaf
343
442
262
118
1,165
Wheel Chair 88
107
271
142
608
Blind – Literate in Braille 94
273
483
609
1,459
Blind – Literate not in Braille 66
1,075
2,447
2,268
5,856
TOTAL
591
1,897
3,463
3,137
9,088

7. 2016 General Elections – PWDs Candidate Statistics
Members of Parliament – 1
Mayors - 1
Councillors - 13

8. Electoral Operations – Current Status
Rumps at Polling Stations
Biometric Voter Registration System (VRS)
Captures PWDs particulars
Voter Jacket for the blind
Preference given to PWDs in queues at Polling stations
PWDs assisted during voting
PWDS recruited as poll staff

9. Electoral Operations – Future Plans
Implement targeted voter education for PWDs informed by a needs assessment
Sign language interpreters
Wheel chairs at polling stations
Adjustable polling booths
E-voting
Internet Voting
Ballot paper in braille
Develop Voter Education Materials in Braille
Increase quota for PWDs as poll staff
Use of Inclusive Electoral Systems e.g. Proportional Representation (PR) System
Engage stakeholders to reserve quotas for PWDs (Candidates)
AI and Robotics

10. VICTORIAL FALLS - ZAMBIA THANK YOU