Accessible Elections for Persons with Disabilities in Slovenia

The accessibility of elections for persons with disabilities in Slovenia represents an important example of rights-based improvement driven by international human-rights mechanisms and national implementation measures. A key turning point was the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (2022).

Following this judgment, accessibility of elections has increasingly been addressed as a systemic obligation of the State, rather than an ad hoc or optional measure. The practice highlights a shift towards recognising that formal voting rights are insufficient if persons with disabilities are unable to access polling stations independently, safely, and with dignity.

Concrete measures include improved assessment of polling-station accessibility, clearer allocation of responsibilities between municipalities and election authorities, and increased awareness that alternative voting methods (e.g. postal voting) may complement but cannot replace accessible in-person voting. The approach aligns with the principle that persons with disabilities must be able to vote on an equal basis with others, including the right to secret and autonomous voting, with assistance only when chosen by the voter.

The practice is grounded in the implementation of Article 29 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and reflects a growing understanding that electoral accessibility encompasses physical access, accessible information, communication support, and appropriate training of election staff. 

Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (2022).

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