What about elections? Accessibility of Ukrainian polling stations for people with disabilities

The upcoming post-war elections in Ukraine, whenever they take place, will be accompanied by numerous challenges related to the consequences of the Russian invasion. One of the most critical is the accessibility of polling stations for people with disabilities. This problem will become even more urgent than before due to the increasing number of wounded soldiers and civilians affected by the war.

Are polling stations ready to accept voters with disabilities

According to First Lady Olena Zelenska, as of November 2024, there were more than 3 million people with disabilities in Ukraine. During the period of the full-scale Russian invasion, their number increased by 300,000.

In 2019, Ukraine adopted the Electoral Code, which stipulates that from January 1, 2025, all regular polling stations must be accessible to people with disabilities. In the same 2019, the Civil Network OPORA conducted a study of the accessibility of voting premises. Only 15 (3%) of the 500 polling stations in the sample were fully accessible.

This year, the Central Election Commission updated data on the status of 26,536 polling stations out of 33,205 polling stations, including their accessibility for people with disabilities (some information is still missing, in particular, about polling stations in Kherson region). The data on inclusiveness covers 37 indicators grouped into blocks, which are analyzed below.

Adjacent territory

As of June 2025, only 32.81% of polling stations (10,912 polling stations) have one or more free parking spaces for people with disabilities. 45.31% of polling stations (15,072) are not equipped with such spaces at all, and there is no information about 21.88% (7,277). Only 42.12% of polling stations (14,009) have a space without curbs or other height differences.

An important indicator of the inclusiveness of a polling station is the designation of accessible and safe directions. Such elements help people with disabilities and other groups with limited mobility to choose a convenient route to the entrance to the polling station or other important areas. As of June 2025, only 21.8% of polling stations (7,241) were equipped with such signs, and 56.4% of polling stations (18,743) lacked them .

Entrance to the building

Most polling stations meet the requirements for the width of entrances, doors or gates. In particular, 69.8% of polling stations (23,202) have an entrance width of at least 0.9 meters. Only 8.8% of polling stations (2,727) do not meet this standard.

Another important criterion is the absence of stairs at the entrance to the polling station. If they are present, it is important that people with disabilities and people with limited mobility can access the premises using a ramp or other lifting device. Among the analyzed polling stations, 33.3% (11080) do not have stairs. 32.5% of polling stations (10,799) have stairs, but are not equipped with ramps or lifting devices, which creates significant barriers for voters with reduced mobility. Another 30% (9,974 polling stations) have stairs, but are equipped with ramps or lifting devices that provide alternative access. Data on 7277 polling stations are missing.

The presence of a ramp alone does not guarantee accessibility, as it may not meet the requirements of the DBN. In such cases, even if it is available, access for people with disabilities remains limited. Among the polling stations analyzed, only 45.3% have a ramp that meets the requirements of the DBN.

The path to the polling station building must also meet the requirements of the State Building Code. This route should be convenient and safe for people with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs. According to the CEC, about 33.1% of polling stations (11,023) have an approach to the building that meets state standards and building codes. The access to almost half, namely 45% of polling stations (14,961), is not accessible.

Inner Space

Even if there is an unobstructed entrance to the building, barriers inside the building may make it impossible for voters with disabilities to exercise their right to vote. 92% of polling stations (23916) are located on the ground floor. Another 7.9% (2048 polling stations) are above the first floor, and 0.1% (22 polling stations) are below the first floor .

Even if the polling station is located on the ground floor, it is important to consider whether there are other obstacles that may make access difficult for people with disabilities or people with reduced mobility. Any thresholds, narrow passageways or other barriers can be a significant obstacle to accessing the premises. Among all polling stations, 32.5% of polling stations (10,802) have various obstacles on the way to them.

Another important indicator is the availability of wayfinding and information support inside the building to help people with disabilities and people with limited mobility move around safely. Only 17.4% (5,792 polling stations) have such facilities. At the same time, 60.7% of polling stations (20,192 objects) are not provided with orientation signs.

Voting booths people with disabilities

The availability of voting booths adapted for persons with disabilities and other low-mobility groups is a very important indicator, as the absence of such booths essentially deprives voters of their right to secrecy of the vote. 35.3% of polling stations (11,757) have booths adapted for voters with disabilities, while almost half of the polling stations, namely 42.8% (14,277), do not have such booths.

Sanitary facilities

Sanitary facilities should be adapted for people with disabilities and low-mobility groups. The majority of polling stations, namely 68.3% (22729), do not have them. Only 9.8% (3255 polling stations) have specially equipped restrooms.

This is a general indicator that covers a wider range of needs of people with disabilities and people with reduced mobility. The presence of such facilities does not guarantee that the toilet has an equipped cabin adapted for the entry and safe movement of persons in wheelchairs.

Only 6.8% of polling stations (2,248 facilities) have restrooms adapted for people in wheelchairs. At the same time, 71.4% of polling stations (23,736 facilities) do not have such cubicles.

As a reminder, the Civil Network OPORA has prepared a Roadmap for the organization of post-war elections in Ukraine. The document emphasizes that due to the consequences of the Russian invasion, the state must ensure that a much larger number of people with disabilities have the opportunity to vote.