It is not always easy for people with physical or mental disabilities to go to a polling place and cast a vote during an election.
In order to improve this situation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has begun the first large-scale survey to ask election management committees around the country how they are creating an environment that makes it easier to vote.
Regarding the voting environment for people with disabilities, in May, the Japan Council of Persons with Disabilities, an NPO made up of groups of persons with disabilities, submitted a request to the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications to improve the voting environment.
The request asks for assistance with transportation to polling stations, making polling stations barrier-free, and providing sufficient information to help voters choose who to vote for.
In response to these developments, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has begun its first large-scale survey, targeting election administration committees across the country, in preparation for next spring's unified local elections, asking how they are creating an environment that makes it easier to vote. .
In the survey, we asked whether the staff dispatched to the polling place were trained, whether manuals were being created, and specific measures taken at the polling place.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications hopes to create an environment that makes it easier to vote by publishing advanced cases that are effective based on the collected responses on its website.
Prior to the House of Councilors election this summer, NHK launched a special website called "Everyone's Election", and has been disseminating specific support measures that people with disabilities can receive at polling stations and initiatives in each region. We are soliciting comments from
Disability group "Expects to protect suffrage for people with disabilities"
Regarding the large-scale survey conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Japan Council of Persons with Disabilities said, ``There are many voices saying that there are disparities in how local governments respond to polling stations, and that support is needed. I hope that the survey will lead to improvement of the current situation so that it can be done.”