The Down Syndrome Kosova Association has strongly criticized the Central Election Commission (CEC) for what it calls a violation of the voting rights of citizens with disabilities, following an incident during Sunday’s election process.
According to reports, a citizen with Down syndrome was initially denied the right to vote. The issue was only resolved after immediate intervention by the association’s director, Sebahate Hajdini Beqiri, who ensured the individual was ultimately allowed to cast their vote.
Less than 24 hours after the incident, Down Syndrome Kosova issued a formal reaction addressed to the CEC, expressing deep concern about the content and implications of the Official Voting Procedures Guide for Assisted Voting recently approved by the commission.
CEC Accused of Discriminatory Voting Procedures
In its statement, the organization argued that the CEC’s guidelines effectively restrict the voting rights of persons with disabilities, by imposing unnecessary and discriminatory bureaucratic requirements.
According to the association, the CEC requires voters with disabilities to present a medical document containing a protocol number or registry code, a condition that violates both the principles of equality and the right to participate in democratic processes.
“This regulation is not only discriminatory but also undermines the dignity and autonomy of citizens with disabilities, who should not have to ‘prove’ their right to vote,” the association stated.
Call for Immediate Revision of CEC Regulations
Down Syndrome Kosova has demanded that the CEC immediately revise the guide to ensure that no person with disabilities faces barriers to exercising their constitutional right to vote.
The association emphasized that Kosovo’s democratic integrity is measured by how inclusively it treats its most vulnerable citizens, and warned that continued exclusion would tarnish the credibility of future elections.
“We call on the CEC to align its procedures with international human rights standards and to uphold the principles of equality, dignity, and accessibility,” the statement concluded.
A Broader Issue of Inclusion in Kosovo’s Democracy
This incident has reignited public debate about institutional barriers faced by persons with disabilities in Kosovo, especially in the context of political participation and public life.
Human rights organizations have long called on the government and election authorities to adopt inclusive policies that reflect Kosovo’s constitutional and international obligations toward equal citizenship.
