A delegation from the Lebanese Union for Persons with Motor Disabilities and the Coalition of Associations of Persons with Disabilities met with the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Judge Bassam Mawlawi, at his office, in the presence of Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Sheikh. During the meeting, the delegation expressed its appreciation and thanks to the Minister and Brigadier General for their serious cooperation in overcoming obstacles for disabled voters in the recent parliamentary elections, and handed them two plaques of appreciation on the occasion.

The delegation consisted of the President of the Lebanese Union for Persons with Motor Disabilities Silvana Allakis, Secretary of the Union Jihad Ismail, Executive Director of the Union Hanin Shamali, President of the Shabiba Association for the Blind Amer Makarem, President of the Association of Blind Universities Ibrahim Abdallah, President of the Lebanese Association for Self-Defense Fadia Farah, representative of the University Network for Disabled Persons Advocacy Fadi Halabi, representative of the Deaf Union Christine Hindi.

In the meeting, Al-Laqis expressed the importance of the progress achieved in the recent elections in terms of the demands of the Haqi campaign, including the use of ground floor rooms in polling stations as polling stations, the operation of elevators where available, and the introduction of polling stations in the courtyards of the centers, stressing that the work will continue in the upcoming municipal elections and build on what has been achieved. She also addressed the need to build the capacities of polling station staff to deal with disabled voters. Members of the delegation spoke about the difficulties faced by voters with intellectual, visual and hearing disabilities, the issue of information related to persons with disabilities, and the need to continue working towards inclusive elections.

For his part, the minister thanked the delegation and emphasized the possibility of forming the committee provided for in Decree 2214/2009, regardless of the current circumstances in the country, foreseeing the possibility of achieving progress on the demands in the upcoming municipal elections.