Vol. 465 No. 2
21 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment the current position regarding a request from disabled persons' organisations to have all polling stations for each election and referendum held at a location which meets the minimum accessibility guidelines. [8312/96]
At each election and referendum, my Department advises returning officers to select, as far as possible, buildings which are accessible by people with disabilities and, in particular, that polling stations should in all cases be located on the ground floor to provide easy access by all electors. Returning officers are also advised that, where access cannot be gained to a building without negotiating steps, consideration should be given to providing temporary ramps where this can be done safely and at reasonable cost in the limited time available.
Under existing law, a disabled elector whose name is not on the postal or special voters' list and who, because of physical illness or disability, is unable to vote at his or her normal polling station, may be authorised by the returning officer in writing to vote at another polling station within the voter's own constituency.
I will review the position generally in relation to voting by disabled persons in the light of the report on the subject by the Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs.
