I WISH to commend the National Commission on Disability and the Guyana Elections Commission for discussing new modalities that will allow for persons with disabilities to cast their ballot in the upcoming national and regional elections. This is indeed a step in the right direction, and will only serve to enhance our democracy.

People with disabilities are no different from any other person insofar as their intellect and faculty of reason is concerned. They have an interest in what is going on in the country, and do have an opinion and a preference as to which of the competing political parties will best represent their interest.
In fact, the very term “persons with disability” has now become somewhat of a misnomer, and they are now referred to as “persons who are differently abled”, since, as we all know, disability does not prevent anyone from making their contribution to society in positive and in their own unique ways.
I know of several persons with disabilities of one type or the other who were denied the opportunity to exercise their franchise in previous elections because of logistical difficulties in getting them into the polling booth. This is an area that needed to be given some more consideration by GECOM, in addition to the highly commendable measure to allow persons who are visually impaired to vote.
Exercising the right to vote is not only a fundamental human right, but also a sacred duty. I encourage all Guyanese to exercise that right especially in today’s context when votes are counted and elections are not only free and fair but free from fair.
HYDAR ALLY