Gorontalo (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will host the third General Election for Disability Access (AGENDA) South Asia Conference to discuss the political roles and rights of the disabled, revealed a committee members press statement, Thursday.

The conference will be held on January 28 to 29, 2015, and aims to seek a solution to the challenges dealt by the disabled to access the general election system, Yustitia Arief affirmed.

Delegations from all South Asian countries will participate in the AGENDA regional dialogue.

"Most of the 11 million people with disabilities in Indonesia cannot participate in the general elections due to the social stigmatization and discrimination," Yustitia said, adding that the national regulations and facilities do not support the political rights of the disabled.

The participation rate of the disabled in Indonesia is very low, whereas this community has political rights at par with other citizens according to Law Number 19/ 2011.

The law also states that every citizen has an obligation to facilitate the rights of the disabled, including obtaining protection and service during the general elections.

The regional dialogue is held by the AGENDA committee in collaboration with the Indonesian General Elections Commission (KPU) and the Association of World Election Bodies (AWEB).

AGENDA was established in 2011 by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the Voting Education Network for People (JPPR), and the Indonesian People with Disabilities Association (PPDI).
(Uu.KR-LWA/INE/KR-BSR/O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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