The executive director of “Se Bashku Foundation”, promoting the rights of people with disabilities, said on Euronews Albania that there are over 170.000 citizens with some form of impairment registered.

“According to a 2011 census, it results that 6.2% of the population or over 170.000 have some form of impairment. We are referring to individuals above the age of 15 that are now eligible voters”, said Suela Lala.

As she spoke over voting rights, she emphasized that the state must create some additional facilitations for the voting process.

“Polling centers should not just be on the first floor, but they must have wide doors and fulfill several standards”, said Lala.

“It is required that information about the elections, such as on the candidates and platforms, be provided in sign language too for people with visual or hearing impairments”, she added.

Lala also said that the votes of people with disabilities, according to a simple estimate, may translate into 8 or 9 mandates.

“Unfortunately, we have not seen any people with disabilities running between the ranks of important political parties to win a seat in the upcoming parliament”, she concluded.