Nancy Platts, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown calls on Brighton and Hove City Council and Lewes District Council to ensure access for disabled voters at the general election in May.
NANCY has written to the chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council and Lewes District Council asking what steps are being taken to ensure disabled voters are able to participate in the general election and exercise their right to vote.
Local authorities have a duty to ensure polling stations don’t disadvantage disabled voters. A range of measures is also available to support disabled voters, including large print versions of ballot papers and tactile voting devices. Election staff should be properly trained to meet the needs of disabled voters
Nancy has asked the councils for a report on access to polling stations in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven constituency and what steps are being taken to inform disabled people of the different ways they can exercise their vote.
Nancy said: “Ensuring disabled people are able to exercise their vote is an essential part of a healthy democracy and fundamental to their rights. The Electoral Commission has issued guidance on making registration and voting accessible to disabled people. I’ve written to Brighton and Hove City Council and Lewes District Council council to ask for assurance that every disabled voter in the constituency will be able to get to a polling station and get the assistance they need if they want to vote in person, and to have information about alternative voting methods, such as by proxy or post.
“Disabled voters also need information about how to register to vote. If you want to register, or check whether you’re on the register, contact the Democratic Services team at your local council.”
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