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Innovative Policy on Political Participation: Voting and Participation in the Electoral Process in Spain

Spain has implemented innovative policies to ensure voting and participation in the electoral process for persons with disabilities. These policies include accessibility measures, free transportation for voters, and support services. The Ministry of Interior prepares evaluation reports after each national election to assess the implementation of these policies.

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Innovative Policy on Political Participation: Voting and Participation in the Electoral Process in Spain

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  1. Innovative Policy 2015 on Political Participation Voting and Participation in the Electoral Process in Spain ZERO PROJECT IV CONFERENCE ON INDEPENDENT LIVING AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: Innovative Policies and Practices for Persons with Disabilities United Nations Office/Vienna International Centre, Austria 25-27 February 2015 Ministry of the Interior. Spain. Directorate General of Internal Policy. Deputy Directorate of Internal Policy and Electoral Processes. www.infoelectoral.interior.es / pielecciones@interior.es

  2. Voting and Participation in the Electoral Process in Spain • -- Previous accessibility and electoral processes regulations: Electoral Act 1985, RD on electoral processes 1999. • -- Royal Decree 1612/2007 (http://bit.ly/1tQdzNC ), provides for an accessible voting procedure for people with visual disabilities who exercise their right to vote (a voting procedure for blind electors who are Braille users). This regulation was passed because of the legal mandate included in the electoral act modification approved in 2007 that established that the Government had to regulate a special procedure for visually impaired electors. The RD 1612/2007 includes a mandate for the public administration to issue a report on the implementation of this new procedure. • -- Royal Decree 422/2011 (http://bit.ly/1qHKjsm ) approves the Policy about the basic conditions for the participation of persons with disabilities in political and electoral processes. This regulation implements/follows up the General Disability Rights Law (2003) mandates. • Policy features relate to the built environment (accessibility of polling stations), free transportation of voters, information and communication (accessibility to the institutional electoral information), information or services related to the exercise of the right to vote, including several forms of assistance or support (additional kits for accessible voting – documentation and templates in Braille-, free service sign language interpretation and magnetic loop for deaf members of polling station, complementary support, ...). In this regulation it is also included the mandate to elaborate evaluation reports. http://zeroproject.org/policy/spain-3/

  3. IN BRIEF With its two regulations of 2007 and 2011, Spain has introduced for the first time a voting procedure for blind electors as well as basic conditions of accessibility and non-discrimination for persons with disabilities to participate in elections and political life. This latter legislation is a broader policy framework aimed at improving the implementation of participatory rights. It provides, for example, free sign language interpretation to members of polling stations and establishes that political parties need to ensure that their election materials are accessible to persons with disabilities. KEY FEATURES Under Royal Decree 1612/2007, voters with visual impairments have to inform the Minister of Interior of their special needs. The voter then receives documentation in braille and can use a standardized ballot. The Ministry has also to provide accessible information on candidates. Royal Decree 422/2011 provides that premises of polling stations, websites with electoral information, all institutional information and procedures, as well as spaces of election campaign must be accessible; and that deaf members of polling stations must receive free sign language interpretation. In addition, the regulations address candidates, political parties, etc. to ensure that their election campaign activities, election materials, public activities, websites, printed documentation, and the like are all accessible. To evaluate the implementation, the Ministry prepares a report after each national election. http://zeroproject.org/policy/spain-3/

  4. INNOVATIVE ASPECTS Regulating electoral accessibility While many accessibility measures were already being undertaken based on protocols, their legal regulation constitutes a new step in the process of ensuring the full exercise of the rights of citizens with disabilities. Cooperating with the disability sector A range of disability organizations is involved in implementation of the regulations, such as providing for sign language interpretation. Inductive Loops are provided for persons with hearing impairments, as well as accessible documents. Consistent reporting Following each election, evaluation reports on accessibility – prepared with input from provincial level election officials, disabled people organizations, and other stakeholders – are sent to the Central Electoral Commission; to the Ministry of Health, Social Services, and Equality; and to the National Disability Council. http://zeroproject.org/policy/spain-3/

  5. Main measures already adopted in Spain: Accessible electoral information: web site, electoral information on public Radio and TV. TV spots have subtitles and sign language translation, Electoral accessibility handbook, Easy reading brochure, Guidelines provided for polling station members on how to assist electors with disabilities. Members of polling stations who have hearing disabilities may ask for a free sign language interpretation service or for a magnetic induction loop. Accessible voting kit for blindelectors. (N.B. And Accesible ballot papers software application (Pilot run at Parliamentary Elections 2011). Free transportation for electors with disabilities to attend to the polling station on Election Day. Free Notary service in postal voting for people with disabilities or unable to go to the postal office. Cooperation with disability organizations (ONCE/CIDAT, FIAPAS, CNSE, OADIS…) and other Ministries (Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality.) Ministry of the Interior evaluation reports: N.B. best practices are identified. http://zeroproject.org/policy/spain-3/

  6. LINKS: Ministry of the Interior: Elections and accessibility. 1. Permanent web site on elections http://www.infoelectoral.interior.es/web/guest/accesibilidad-y-procesos-electorales 2. Local Elections 2011. http://elecciones.mir.es/locales2011/Contenido/Accesibilidad_de_los_procesos_electorales.htm 3. Parliamentary Elections 2011. http://elecciones.mir.es/generales2011/Contenido/2011_Accesibilidad_de_los_procesos_electorales.htm 4. European Parliament Elections 2014. http://elecciones.mir.es/europeas2014/web/europeas2014/voto-y-accesibilidad.html http://zeroproject.org/policy/spain-3/

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