Electoral Accessibility Reform for Persons with Disabilities

Abstract

This study examines electoral accessibility reform for persons with disabilities by employing accessibility and reasonable accommodation as its philosophical and normative foundations. The research uses normative legal research with conceptual and philosophical approaches, drawing upon an analysis of constitutional provisions, national legislation, international human rights instruments, and relevant academic literature. The discussion emphasizes accessibility as a structural guarantee for inclusive electoral facilities and information, and reasonable accommodation as a proportional mechanism to address the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. The analysis is grounded in Aristotle’s concept of justice, which advocates differential treatment based on relevant differences, and Rawls’ difference principle, which prioritizes the protection of the most vulnerable groups. These philosophical foundations are reinforced by the 1945 Constitution, Law No. 8 of 2016 on Persons with Disabilities, Law No. 7 of 2017 on Elections, and Article 29 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The findings indicate that although the existing legal framework formally recognizes electoral rights for persons with disabilities, its implementation remains inadequate due to persistent physical, informational, and cultural barriers in electoral processes. This study concludes that electoral accessibility reform constitutes a philosophical, normative, and practical imperative, which can be realized through an Inclusive Electoral Justice model grounded in universal accessibility, reasonable accommodation, and participatory decision-making, thereby affirming persons with disabilities as equal political subjects.