Accessible Electoral System

Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN), in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), implemented the projects “Youth Initiative for an Accessible Electoral System” and “Disability Access Monitoring Program” from August 2021 to Dec. 2022 across nine districts of Nepal, covering all seven provinces.

The project aimed to strengthen political participation, voter education, and leadership of youth with disabilities, while advocating for a more inclusive and accessible electoral system for persons with disabilities.

Summary of Key Results

• Established strong coordination with the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) and District Election Offices
• Created employment opportunities for 11 persons with disabilities, strengthening skills in technology and project management
• Sensitized 26 newly elected Members of Parliament on disability-inclusive political participation
• Developed 15 Master Trainers (9 women with disabilities) and 176 District Trainers from 12 districts
• Directly reached 4,490 young persons with disabilities through training, mock polling, and door-to-door voter education
• Sensitized 172 district-level stakeholders including political leaders, election officials, and civil society
• Conducted 79 advocacy engagements with ECN, election offices, local governments, and political parties
• Produced and disseminated accessible voter education materials (Braille, large print, easy-to-read formats)
• Produced misinformation and disinformation PSAs in six local languages and two PSAs on accessible polling stations
• Reached 468,870 people through social media campaigns
• Secured local government budget allocation for voter education in Sundar Haraicha Municipality (Morang) and Butwal Municipality
• Supported appointment of 17 PWD volunteers in polling stations across Chitwan, Jhapa, and Rupandehi
• All major national political parties included PWD candidates in proportional representation lists
• Conducted election access monitoring of 100+ polling stations across 10 districts mobilizing the persons with disabilities.
• Developed and disseminated comprehensive report on situation of Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Election, 2022.