EC tells political parties to use disability, gender sensitive language

The EC said parties and their representatives should not use disability or terms referring to disability or PwDs in the context of “human incapacity” and should avoid comments that may be offensive or perpetuating stereotypes. It added that any use of such language would attract punishments under the RPD Act.

Parties were asked to ensure that all campaign materials, including speeches by leaders and social media posts, undergo an internal review process to identify and correct any ableist, offensive or discriminatory language.

“All political parties should ensure and should declare on their website that they will use disability and gender sensitive language and etiquette as well as respect inherent human equality, equity, dignity and autonomy…All political parties shall make their public speeches/campaigns/ activities/ events accessible for all citizens,” the guidelines said.

Parties were asked to train their workers and appoint a nodal authority to receive complaints from PwD regarding the use of ableist language. “Political parties may endeavour to include more PwDs at levels such as members and party workers to shed the attitudinal barrier of the party and public and provide equal opportunities,” the EC said.

In a statement on Thursday, the EC said the foundation of democracy lay in the representation of all communities within the electoral process. It said accessible and inclusive elections were a non-negotiable promise of the EC.

The EC’s guidelines come after activists raised concerns over the use of references to disability by political leaders to attack opponents during election campaigns. A collective of disability rights groups had written to the ECI on October 26 this year asking the EC to “declare SOP on respectful political language with regard to persons with disabilities by politicians/representatives of political parties”.

Dr Satendra Singh, a disability rights activist and professor at University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital in Delhi, was one of those who signed the representation to the EC. He said activists had been raising the issue with the EC for years. While saying the guidelines were much needed, he added: “The EC should ban contestants if they abuse disability.”