Ministry Of Home Affairs Guards The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities To Vote In The 2024 Election

ILLUSTRATION BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The Domestic Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) is committed to overseeing strategic issues related to the fulfillment of the rights of persons with disabilities in the 2024 General Election (Pemilu).

Plh. Head of the Center for Policy Strategy (Pustrakan) of Politics, Law and Domestic Government (Polhupemdagri) Gatot Tri Laksono said the effort was to ensure equal participation for all Indonesian citizens.

"Election activities that have been going on for a long time, we almost highlight from the perspective of persons with disabilities. Maybe the figure is not significantly influential, but from the civil rights of human rights this election is important to appreciate all parties," said Gatot as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, February 12.

Based on Standard Norms and Regulation (SNP) Number 12 concerning Human Rights and Vulnerable Groups in the Election issued by Komnas HAM, there are 19 vulnerable groups in the election, one of which is people with disabilities.

Persons with disabilities consist of people with sensory disabilities, people with physical disabilities, people with intellectual disabilities, and people with mental disabilities.

Gatot explained that people with disabilities are vulnerable to discrimination and stigma in the community. This happens because of the lack of access to electoral rights.

He then gave an example of the right to information and the right to participate as well as the lack of availability of election instruments that are people with disabilities friendly.

"In terms of voting rights, citizen participation rights, persons with disabilities are still accommodated, but how is it implemented? This needs to be explored further," he said.

Meanwhile, the Main Expert Researcher of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Moch. Nurhasim said various concrete steps have been taken by the government to ensure that the basic rights of persons with disabilities in the 2024 General Election are fulfilled properly.

How many efforts, he said, include providing assistance for people with disabilities at polling stations, as well as providing disability-friendly or easily accessible TPS.

Nurhasis said the General Elections Commission (KPU) has ensured that information related to the 2024 General Election can be easily accessed by all citizens, including those with disabilities.

This, he said, was reflected in the translation of campaign materials into sign language and the provision of information in braille format. In addition, the use of accessibility technology to ensure that websites and applications related to elections can be accessed by various types of disabilities.

Regarding the fulfillment of the rights of persons with disabilities, he invites all parties to work together so that hopes of realizing a friendly 2024 election for persons with disabilities can be carried out. This support must also be given from the closest family members.

"This is related to rights, rights protection, the context of human rights data protection. Usually, the family is embarrassed, is there a policy that protects their data? This needs to be considered," he concluded.