Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal Disabled Women Association (NDWA), with the support of Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD), has successfully conducted a series of voter education sessions and mock polls across four districts, Kathmandu, Chitwan, Kanchanpur, and Gorkha, aimed at enhancing electoral literacy among persons with disabilities and marginalized communities. The sessions were organized at Budanilkantha Municipality, Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Ratnanagar Municipality, Krishnapur Municipality, and Gorkha Municipality.
A total of 265 participants attended the sessions conducted across the four districts and five municipalities. Participants included persons with disabilities, their parents, caregivers, and first-time voters. The primary objective of the program was to improve understanding of electoral processes and promote informed participation in the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) Elections.
During the sessions, facilitators emphasized the constitutional right of every eligible Nepali citizen to vote freely and independently. They highlighted how marginalized group, particularly women and persons with disabilities, are often manipulated or discouraged from exercising their voting rights.
An important feature of the program was the hands-on mock election exercise. Participants were guided through the complete voting process, including identifying different ballot papers, correctly stamping the ballot, properly folding it, and casting it into the ballot box. The practical demonstration helped participants gain confidence and clarity about the voting procedure.
Many participants expressed that this was the first time they had attended a disability-focused voting literacy program.
“The SLI efficiently explained the voting process and I am now much more confident to vote in the upcoming HoR elections,” shared a participant from Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan.
“I have been casting my vote for a very long time but I had never known why votes would go invalid in elections. Participating in the session gave me my answers. In the upcoming elections, I will properly cast my vote and ensure it is valid,” said a participant from Krishnapur Municipality, Kanchanpur.
Local government representatives from the respective municipalities appreciated NDWA’s efforts in organizing inclusive voter awareness programs targeting marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities. They acknowledged the importance of such initiatives in strengthening inclusive democratic participation at the local level.
Through these initiatives, NDWA continues to promote accessible and inclusive civic engagement, ensuring that persons with disabilities can confidently exercise their fundamental right to vote.