|
total countries/territories: 103
|
|---|
| Country/Territory |
Answers |
Comments |
Verified |
|
Albania
|
h. Not applicable
|
There were no special voter education programs developed.
Source:
Ilirjan Celibashi, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), icelibashi(a)kqz.org.al
|
2003/06/10
|
|
Algeria
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
Electoral Law
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/03/26
|
|
American Samoa
|
a. Disabled
|
Training is provided to polling staff
Source:
Unknown
|
2017/08/18
|
|
Argentina
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
e. Indigenous groups
g. Other
|
Special Campaigns to boost electoral accessibility have been announced.
Source:
https://www.electoral.gob.ar/nuevo/paginas/btn/cyee/cyee_electores.php
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Australia
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
d. Ethnic minorities
e. Indigenous groups
|
Source:
Michael Bergmann, Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), michael.bergmann(a)aec.gov.au
|
2002/07/04
|
|
Austria
|
a. Disabled
|
|
2003/06/11
|
|
Azerbaijan
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
|
Azerbaijan Youth Parliament planned out a voters' education program to endorse women's voting rights and youth voting rights.
Source:
https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CEDAW/Shared%20Documents/AZE/INT_CEDAW_CSS_AZE_43652_E.docx
|
2021/08/03
|
|
Bahamas
|
a. Disabled
|
|
2002/10/03
|
|
Bahrain
|
c. Women
|
The preparatory committee for the Womens Union, an NGO that works to promote womens rights, has prepared a programme to support female candidates, which includes media training for TV and press interviews, and workshops on the importance of womens political participation.
Source:
http://www.bahrainbrief.com.bh/english/sep-2002.htm
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/03/30
|
|
Bangladesh
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
|
Source:
S. M. Asaduzzaman; Public Relations Officer; Bangladesh Election Commission. Email: [email protected]
|
2006/05/23
|
|
Barbados
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
Donville Johnson, Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Barbados, Donvillej(a)hotmail.com
|
2002/07/09
|
|
Belarus
|
h. Not applicable
|
No special voter education programs were developed.
Source:
Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums. [email protected]
|
2002/09/09
|
|
Belgium
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
d. Ethnic minorities
e. Indigenous groups
f. Illiterates
|
Source:
Steinar Dalbakk, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norway, Steinar.dalbakk(a)krd.dep.no
|
2019/04/25
|
|
Benin
|
g. Other
|
Source:
Mr Théodule Nouatchi(Enseignant d'université au bénin)
|
2005/01/19
|
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
|
Source:
Nada Hadzimehic, Elections Adviser, OSCE Misson to BiH Elections Department, Bosnia, nadah(a)izbori.ba
|
2006/12/11
|
|
Brazil
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
d. Ethnic minorities
e. Indigenous groups
f. Illiterates
g. Other
|
Source:
Superior Electoral Court (TSE):
https://international.tse.jus.br/en
|
2024/10/15
|
|
Bulgaria
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
Source:
Mihail Konstantinov, Vice-chair of the Central Election Commissions of Bulgaria for Parliamentary and for Local Elections Presidential Elections Act.
|
2007/01/31
|
|
Canada
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
d. Ethnic minorities
e. Indigenous groups
f. Illiterates
g. Other
|
For more details on special voter education programs, please consult the Chief Electoral Officer’s Statutory Report on the 2006 general election on www.elections.ca.
Source:
Elections Canada (www.elections.ca)
|
2006/12/11
|
|
Cape Verde
|
h. Not applicable
|
No information available.
|
2026/04/04
|
|
Chile
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
Source:
Mr. Juan Ignacio García, Director, Servicio Electoral
|
2009/07/05
|
|
Colombia
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
CNE
|
2003/07/31
|
|
Costa Rica
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
e. Indigenous groups
|
Source:
TSE (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones)
|
2009/07/05
|
|
Czech Republic
|
d. Ethnic minorities
|
In certain localities voter information is prepared by the Ministry of Interior in languages of minorities living in the Czech Republic.
Source:
Petra Wagnerova, Election Law Expert, Ministry of Interior, Czech Republic, pwagnero(a)csu.notes.cz
|
2023/09/14
|
|
Denmark
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
Anne Birte Pade, Head of Election Unit, Ministry of Interior,
adp(a)im.dk
Klaus Josefsen, Election Unit, Ministry of Interior,
kjo(a)im.dk
|
2015/06/11
|
|
Djibouti
|
a. Disabled
c. Women
f. Illiterates
|
Source:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/africa/djibouti/history.htm
|
2005/08/26
|
|
Dominica
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
Source:
Elections Office.
|
2002/12/16
|
|
Ecuador
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
d. Ethnic minorities
e. Indigenous groups
f. Illiterates
|
Source:
Electoral Supreme Tribunal
|
2003/09/08
|
|
Egypt
|
a. Disabled
|
Braille ballots and voting assistance for those with mobility issues
Source:
Updated September 2025
|
2025/09/23
|
|
Eritrea
|
h. Not applicable
|
|
2011/06/21
|
|
Fiji
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
For both registration and awareness of the electoral system.
Source:
Kameli Koto, Deputy Supervisor of Elections, 15/07/2002
|
2003/07/01
|
|
French Guiana
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2007/01/10
|
|
French Polynesia
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
|
2004/01/15
|
|
Germany
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
d. Ethnic minorities
f. Illiterates
|
Source:
https://www.bundeswahlleiter.de/bundestagswahlen/2021/informationen-waehler/barrierefreies-waehlen.html
https://www.instagram.com/wahlleiter_bund/?hl=en
https://www.deutschlandradio.de/hilfe-fuer-analphabeten-bei-der-bundestagswahl.331.de.html?dram:article_id=258892
|
2021/11/16
|
|
Ghana
|
a. Disabled
|
For the First time the blind were given special ballot pares for voting.
Source:
Public Kwonledge
|
2005/07/01
|
|
Guadeloupe
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2007/01/14
|
|
Guyana
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
e. Indigenous groups
f. Illiterates
|
Source:
Dr. Steve Surujbally, President of the Elections Commissions,
elections(a)sdnp.gy
|
2004/09/03
|
|
Holy See (Vatican City State)
|
h. Not applicable
|
|
2012/05/14
|
|
Hungary
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
d. Ethnic minorities
|
Electoral Guidelines issued by National Electoral Office, First time votersâ education by Foundation for Elections
The Open Society Insitute made a campaign which was specially developed for minorites - not only ethnic, but every possible kind of minorities.
Source:
András Vincze, Ministry of Interior, central data processing, registration and election office, indep(a)konyv.kozig.b-m.hu
|
2002/07/05
|
|
India
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
f. Illiterates
|
Source:
https://ecisveep.nic.in
|
2024/06/21
|
|
Indonesia
|
c. Women
|
Source:
Muhammad, Hasan, Director General, Election Commission of Pakistan, iftishah77(a)hotmail.com
|
2024/01/31
|
|
Ireland
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
Source:
Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/NationalElections/ (2012);
Official Website of Public Service Information for Citizens: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/elections_and_referenda/national_elections/ (2012)
|
2012/05/10
|
|
Italy
|
h. Not applicable
|
There were no special voter education programs developed at the most recent election.
Source:
Electoral Law: Law of 22 February 2000, n. 28
|
2012/04/16
|
|
Jamaica
|
a. Disabled
|
"They also encourage people with literacy or vision challenges to bring assistance into the voting booth, which is allowed under election rules."
Source:
https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20250812/eoj-parties-launch-educational-campaign-ballot-marking#:~:text=File,Gleaner's%20morning%20and%20evening%20newsletters.
|
2025/09/22
|
|
Japan
|
h. Not applicable
|
|
2003/06/30
|
|
Kazakhstan
|
h. Not applicable
|
No information on other targeted voter education programs is available.
|
2024/10/18
|
|
Kenya
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
|
|
2024/12/06
|
|
Korea, Republic of
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
Source:
Chairperson, National Election Commission, m_nec(a)nec.go.kr
|
2003/02/11
|
|
Lesotho
|
h. Not applicable
|
Information unknown.
|
2015/03/03
|
|
Lithuania
|
a. Disabled
|
|
2016/02/02
|
|
Luxembourg
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
Ministry of Interior: http://www.miat.public.lu/ministere/min_200_organisation/280_cdd/index.html (2012);
Official web site of the Government: http://www.gouvernement.lu/dossiers/viepol/formation-gouvernement-2009/index.html (2012);
Official web site of the Central Government Office for parliamentary, European and local elections: http://www.elections.public.lu/fr/index.html (2012)
|
2012/04/23
|
|
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
|
a. Disabled
d. Ethnic minorities
|
Positively, the SEC placed voter education videos on its social media platforms in the Macedonian and Albanian languages, supported by sign language interpretation, and sometimes with subtitles in the Romani, Serbian, Turkish or Vlach languages. Voter education was also carried out in the broadcast media and included information on voters’ rights, voting procedures, and electoral offences. Despite these efforts, the visibility of voter education was limited.(OSCE Report: INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION Republic of North Macedonia, Presidential Election, 21 April 2019)
Source:
OSCE Report: INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION Republic of North Macedonia, Presidential Election, 21 April 2019: https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/north-macedonia/417818?download=true
|
2020/04/17
|
|
Marshall Islands
|
h. Not applicable
|
Mobile team informs voters about family planning, women issues. Now includes information about electoral registration.
Source:
Lamki, Lenest, Secretary of Internal Affairs, interviewed at PIANZEA workshop July 2002.
|
2005/02/23
|
|
Martinique
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2007/01/14
|
|
Micronesia, Federated States of
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
Burnell Edwards, FSM National Elections Director, interview at PIANZEA workshop July 2002.
|
2005/02/17
|
|
Moldova, Republic of
|
h. Not applicable
|
Every voter was targeted in the most recent notional elections
Source:
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
1 and 15 November 2020
https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/1/5/479972.pdf
|
2021/04/05
|
|
Monaco
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Observation of the elections to the National Council of Monaco (10 February 2013)
https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=19506&lang=en
|
2023/09/12
|
|
Morocco
|
c. Women
|
Source:
Electoral Law, chapter 1, part 2, article 12 and
chapter 3, part 2, articles 49 to 54.
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Nepal
|
f. Illiterates
|
Source:
Bishnu Pratap Shah, former Chief Election Commissioner, interview, January 2004.
|
2004/08/16
|
|
Netherlands
|
g. Other
|
g.)Seminars for refugees/naturalised citizens only, informing about the electoral and political system.
Source:
Heemskerk, Ruud, Member of the National Election Board, stemid(a)worldonline.nl
|
2022/08/02
|
|
New Caledonia
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
|
2003/11/28
|
|
New Zealand
|
a. Disabled
e. Indigenous groups
|
People unable to get to polling station/to read/to mark the ballot. There are special programs for the Maori minority.
Source:
Elections New Zealand Official Website:
https://elections.nz/getting-involved/election-access-fund/
https://elections.nz/about/about-the-electoral-commission/corporate-publications/access-2020-disability-strategy/
https://elections.nz/stats-and-research/enrolment-statistics/enrolment-by-general-electorate
https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/what-is-an-electoral-roll/what-is-the-maori-electoral-option/
|
2024/07/10
|
|
Niger
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
f. Illiterates
|
Ces programmes sont d’habitude organisés par des ONG (NGO) en collaboration étroite avec la CENI.
Source:
M. Amadou Magagi, Secrétaire Général Permanent, Commission Électorales Nationale Independante
|
2007/01/02
|
|
Nigeria
|
c. Women
f. Illiterates
|
|
2001/07/17
|
|
Niue
|
h. Not applicable
|
|
2005/02/23
|
|
Norway
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
d. Ethnic minorities
e. Indigenous groups
f. Illiterates
|
Source:
Steinar Dalbakk, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norway, Steinar.dalbakk(a)krd.dep.no
|
2002/06/19
|
|
Pakistan
|
c. Women
|
Source:
Muhammad, Hasan, Director General, Election Commission of Pakistan, iftishah77(a)hotmail.com
|
2002/06/18
|
|
Palestine
|
c. Women
|
Source:
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/05
|
|
Papua New Guinea
|
c. Women
|
Source:
Report of the Commonwealth Expert Group on Papua New Guineas Electoral Arrangements, 2002.
|
2005/03/02
|
|
Paraguay
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
d. Ethnic minorities
e. Indigenous groups
f. Illiterates
|
For deaf-mutes a triptych was elaborated.
Source:
CIDEE (Centro de Información, Documentación y Educación Electoral)
|
2009/07/05
|
|
Philippines
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
EID, Comelec
|
2005/07/08
|
|
Portugal
|
g. Other
|
Source:
Official web page of the National Electoral Committee:
https://www.cne.pt/content/plano-de-atividades
|
2024/10/10
|
|
Russian Federation
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
Source:
Mr. Evgeny I. Kolushin- Member of the Central Election Commission.
Tel.:+373-2-232-597
|
2002/09/09
|
|
Rwanda
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
|
The law provides for reserved quotas through which special electoral colleges for women, youth, and PWDs vote for their representatives to enhance inclusive political participation.
Source:
REGULATIONS NO 03/2018 OF 09/07/2018 OF THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION GOVERNING 2018 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS; Article 103,
https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/RW/regulations-no-03-2018-of-09-07-2018-of-the/view
|
2024/12/04
|
|
Réunion
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2007/01/14
|
|
Saint Lucia
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
EDSL.
|
2002/12/17
|
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
|
Source:
http://www.caribbeanelections.com/vc/education/women.asp
|
2021/12/27
|
|
Samoa
|
h. Not applicable
|
|
2021/04/09
|
|
Sao Tome and Principe
|
a. Disabled
|
|
2001/10/04
|
|
Serbia
|
d. Ethnic minorities
|
"In line with the law, the REC prepared voter education and election material, including ballots, in all
municipalities where national minority languages are in official use."
Source:
Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions, OSCE PA (2022).
https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/RS/serbia-statement-of-preliminary-findings-and-14/view
|
2022/07/07
|
|
Seychelles
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
c. Women
|
Source:
EISA Pre-election Assessment Mission report on Seychelles 2015 Presidential election.
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/SC/seychelles-pre-election-assessment-mission-report/view
|
2016/09/07
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
f. Illiterates
|
|
2005/06/30
|
|
Slovakia
|
a. Disabled
|
a) Deaf and blind people.
Source:
Mrs. Lívia Skultétyová, Head of the Election department, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic, +421-7/4333 8662
|
2007/01/09
|
|
Slovenia
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
Government Public Relations and Media Office
|
2002/08/14
|
|
Somalia
|
a. Disabled
|
Source:
article 46 presidential and party lections law
|
2016/11/25
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
h. Not applicable
|
The conduct of voter education/ information was not systematic and it was also shown to be inefficient.
Source:
http://www.eueom.eu/files/pressreleases/english/EUEOM_SriLanka_FinalReport_20151017.pdf
|
2016/02/04
|
|
Sudan
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
General Rules and Regulations of the Elections 1999.
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/06
|
|
Sweden
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
g. Other
|
Persons speaking other languages than Swedish/immigrants;
Persons with visual impairment or problems reading textual information;
Persons having impaired hearing;
Homeless persons
Source:
Official Website of the Swedish Election Authority: http://www.val.se/in_english/general_information/voter_information/index.html (2012)
|
2014/08/04
|
|
Switzerland
|
a. Disabled
|
Source:
Official Website of the Swiss Chancellery: http://www.ch.ch/abstimmungen_und_wahlen/02186/index.html?lang=fr (2012)
|
2012/05/11
|
|
Timor-Leste
|
c. Women
|
|
2001/09/17
|
|
Tonga
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
Pita Vuki Chief Returning Officer 2002
|
2003/08/20
|
|
Tunisia
|
c. Women
|
During the 1999 elections, the number of female legislators increased from 11 to 21.
Source:
http://www.pogar.org
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/06
|
|
Turkey
|
h. Not applicable
|
No special voter education programs were developed.
|
2016/01/21
|
|
Tuvalu
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
Afele Kitiona, Lawyer for Elections in Tuvalu, July 2002
|
2003/08/01
|
|
Ukraine
|
h. Not applicable
|
At the most recent elections there were no special voter education programmes, but at the previous election in 1998 special voter education was organised for blind people. Special ballots were printed for them.
Source:
Svetlana Kravcova, Information Officer at the Central Election Commission, tel. +380-44-294-93-66
|
2002/08/29
|
|
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
|
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
Source:
Official Website of the Electoral Commission: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter-registration/voters (2012);
http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/default.aspx;
Official Website of the Parliament: http://www.parliament.uk/education/online-resources/parliament-explained/general-elections/ (2012)
|
2016/04/11
|
|
Uruguay
|
h. Not applicable
|
Source:
Mr. Carlos Urruty, President, Corte Electoral
|
2002/06/18
|
|
Vanuatu
|
a. Disabled
c. Women
|
Polling officials were given instructions as how to best assist disabled people. Workshops were conducted for potential female candidates, designed by Women’s groups. None by the EMB.
Source:
Election Commission of Vanuatu
|
2016/01/26
|
|
Viet Nam
|
h. Not applicable
|
no Voter education programs were developed
Source:
http://www.appf.org.pe/members/023about.htm#dernieres_elections
|
2021/03/25
|
|
Wallis and Futuna
|
b. Young people/ first time voters
|
|
2003/11/28
|
|
Yemen
|
c. Women
|
Recently, the Yemeni Government encouraged women to run for elections.
Source:
http://www.scer.org.ye/arabic/womena.htm
Updated on March 10, 2005
|
2005/04/08
|
|
Zanzibar
|
h. Not applicable
|
"In order to encourage voter registration, ZEC prepared television and radio programmes to educate the people on the need to register themselves as voters. It also published posters and distributed them in various parts of the country. [Radio Zanzibar] and Television Zanzibar have also prepared their own programmes to educate and sesitise the people and to urge them to register as voters. The Zanzibar Legal Service Centre prepared a series of weekly radio programmes with Radio Tanzania Zanzibar and political parties use their mass rallies to urge members to register for the 1995 election."
Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa, Electoral Institute of Southern Africa, 2002. Lodge, Tom, Denis Kadima and David Pottie, Eds. P. 418.
"The Zanzibar Electoral Commission was constrained by lack of resources in undertaking voter education...in many places sample ballot papers were displayed on public buildings..." Elections in Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania, 29 October 2000. The Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group, p 10. Commonwealth Secretariat.
Source:
Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa, Electoral Institute of Southern Africa, 2002. Lodge, Tom, Denis Kadima and David Pottie, Eds. P. 418.
Elections in Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania, 29 October 2000. The Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group, p 10. Commonwealth Secretariat.
|
2002/12/17
|
|
Zimbabwe
|
h. Not applicable
|
|
2018/10/30
|
