Problem on the Election Rights of People with Disabilities in Thailand

Abstract

This study was a documentary study. The objectives of this research were 1) to study problems on the election rights of people with disabilities in Thailand under Thai law and international law on human rights ;and 2) to investigate the facilitating measure for voting rights of people with disabilities in Australia and Canada. This would help developing the recommendations for legal measures. The appropriated approach could eliminate the obstacles and facilitate the people with disabilities in Thailand to exercise their voting rights thoroughly and equally. During the general election of the House of Representatives in 2019, there were several findings. Firstly, the Electoral Commission’s website did not have a specific policy on facilitating the exercise of the voting rights of people with disabilities. Secondly, people with disabilities have faced the obstacles on registering to vote before the election day, due to the inadequate of registration methods. Thirdly, people with disabilities or organizations were lack of opportunities which related to be a part of an election as election officers. Fourthly, the Election Commission did not train the election officers. They should have the appropriate legal knowledge and understanding treatment to people with disabilities. Fifthly, the data from the department of empowerment of people with disabilities indicated that the majority of people with disabilities have lived in rural areas where the public transports have completely not been extensive. It was therefore a major obstacle to the exercise of the voting rights of people with disabilities, especially those with physical or mobility impairments. For the last one, society, community, family, or the people with disabilities were lack of  awareness of the rights of people with disabilities. With the view of people with disabilities as pathetic, the department of empowerment of people with disabilities should promote the empirical understanding of the rights of people with disabilities that have been recognized by both national and international laws. If society and community has a better understanding of the rights of people with disabilities recognized by national and international law, it will deeply increase the political participation, such as  exercising  the voting rights of people with disabilities, making society more legal knowledge, and understanding the human rights-basis.