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Article 29
Participation in political and public life
States Parties shall guarantee to persons with disabilities their political
rights and the opportunity to enjoy them on an equal basis with others, and
shall undertake to:
(a) Ensure that persons with disabilities can effectively and fully participate
in political and public life [on an equal basis with others in accordance with
national laws of general application], directly or through freely chosen representatives,
including the right and opportunity for persons with disabilities to vote and
be elected, inter alia, by:
(i) Ensuring that voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate,
accessible and easy to understand and use;
(ii) Protecting the right of persons with disabilities to vote by secret ballot
in elections and public referendums, without intimidation, and to stand for
elections and to effectively hold office and perform all public functions at
all levels of government, facilitating the use of assistive and new technologies
where appropriate;
(iii) Guaranteeing the free expression of the will of persons with disabilities
as electors and to this end, where necessary, at their request, allowing assistance
in voting by a person of their own choice.
(b) Promote actively an environment in which persons with disabilities can
effectively and fully participate in the conduct of public affairs, without
discrimination and on an equal basis with others, and encourage their participation
in public affairs, including:
(i) Participation in non-governmental organizations and associations concerned
with the public and political life of the country, and in the activities and
administration of political parties;
(ii) Forming and joining organizations of persons with disabilities to represent
persons with disabilities at international, national, regional and local levels.