Accessibility of POs
Access to polling stations by disabled and elderly voters is a fundamental problem witnessed on
election day. Despite announcements by the authorities prior to every election that measures will be
taken for accessibility for the elderly and disabled many disabled and elderly voters cannot access
polling stations and cast their vote.
The observers noted that 162 of the POs had ramps at the building entrances while 213 did not. The
number of POs with elevators is only.
Access Ramps
Frequency
Percentage
AccessElevator
Frequency
Percentage
YES
162
41.5
YES
27
6.9
NO
213
54.6
NO
333
85.4
TOTAL
375
96.2
TOTAL
360
92.3
MISSING
15
3.8
MISSING
30
7.7
OVERALL
390
100.0
OVERALL
390
100.0
The following are some examples regarding accessibility noted by observers on the forms: ‘Disabled
persons had difficulties in casting their votes, the conditions were not suitable for them.’, ‘A ballot box
was placed on the ground floor for the elderly and disabled. But the metal stairs at the entry to the
building was not accessible.’, ‘Not suitable for the disabled and elderly.’, ‘There was an elevator. But
there were no sign posts showing that there was an elevator so those in need could not use it. There
needs to be sign posts showing the place of elevators.’, ‘A ballot box was not set up on the ground floor
for the disabled, voters had a difficult time.’ ‘No elevator, not suitable for the disabled.’, ‘S.Ö. was a 73
year-old voter with a heart condition. He had difficulty in reaching the ballot box on the second floor.’,
‘Disabled people are being carried to the second floor to cast their votes.’ The same happened in the
last elections.’, ‘Voters in wheel chairs cannot access the upper floors.’
Observers reported that voter M.Ö. could not access ballot box No. 1386 on the upper floor of Hilal
Necmiye H. Ataberk Middle School in the Bornova district of Izmir M.Ö.
The number of POs that are completely accessible is only 26. The number of POs that are inaccessible
is 210.
Access
Ramp
Access – Elevator
TOTAL
YES
NO
YES
26
123
149
NO
1
209
210
TOTAL
27
332
359