TEGUCIGALPA – The International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Inc. (IFES) was pleased to participate in organizing the signing of an agreement between the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and three prominent disabilities organizations on July 21, 2009. The goal of the agreement is to promote the political rights of persons with disabilities in the 2009 elections.

The representatives of the organizations noted that it was the first time that the electoral body included the necessities of voters with disabilities in its electoral agenda. The National Federation of Persons with Disabilities (FENOPDIH, in Spanish), the Coordinator of Rehabilitation Institutions and Associations of Honduras (CIARH, in Spanish) and the National Federation of Parents of Persons with Special Needs of Honduras (FENAPAPENESH, in Spanish) signed the agreement with the TSE.

Among the projects set forth by the agreement are the advancement of the political rights of persons with disabilities by securing enhanced access to polling stations and ensuring the secrecy of their vote on the day of the General Elections on November 29, 2009.

The representatives of the organizations noted that it was the first time that the electoral body included the necessities of voters with disabilities in its electoral agenda. The National Federation of Persons with Disabilities (FENOPDIH, in Spanish), the Coordinator of Rehabilitation Institutions and Associations of Honduras (CIARH, in Spanish) and the National Federation of Parents of Persons with Special Needs of Honduras (FENAPAPENESH, in Spanish) signed the agreement with the TSE.

During the event, the three organizations thanked TSE and IFES, as well as USAID (who is funding IFES’ initiative), for promoting the rights of voters with disabilities.

Two presidential candidates attended the event—Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo, from the Conservative National Party (PNH, in Spanish) and Bernard Martinez, from the Social Innovation and Unity Party (PINU-SD, in Spanish)—along with approximately 50 Hondurans with disabilities. Deputies and representatives from the executive and legislative branches of government were also in attendance.

IFES, an international non-governmental organization, is currently working to promote the access of persons with disabilities to democratic processes in Honduras as part of an ongoing technical assistance program with the TSE on areas such as training and media monitoring.

By Rachel Evans July 23, 2009