In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, members of the French National Assembly voted to abolish the “sitting and standing” ballot method. This move comes in response to concerns raised by Sébastien Peytavie, a legislator who uses a wheelchair. Peytavie highlighted that standing for votes was discriminatory as it excluded him and other lawmakers with similar disabilities.
Speaking directly to his colleagues from his wheelchair, Peytavie urged that the removal of this voting method would signify a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that every member, irrespective of their physical condition, had the same right to participate actively in the parliamentary process. He emphasized the broader issue of France’s delayed progress in accommodating people with disabilities, mentioning the inaccessibility of many public facilities and services, inclusive of the historic parliament building and the Paris Metro.
Peytavie asserted, “This text is admittedly symbolic but it’s a reminder that it is the failure to adapt the environment that creates a disability, not a person’s physical situation.” He pointed out that both the rules governing the Assembly and its infrastructure were designed without considering individuals with disabilities.
The rule change, passing with 183 votes in favor and none against, grants National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet the authority to discontinue the use of stand-up voting. Peytavie noted that while this particular method was not frequently employed, its existence disenfranchised those unable to stand, completely barring them from participating in such votes.
Alternative voting options like showing of hands, electronic systems, or paper ballots deposited into an urn are other methods regularly utilized and will replace the stand-up method. Peytavie recounted episodes from last July where he was prevented from voting due to inaccessible procedures, as lawmakers were required to walk up stairs to cast their ballots in an urn.
He famously protested on social media when parliamentary staff refused to bring the voting urn to him, resulting in him momentarily blocking the stairs in defiance until accommodations were made. “Is it that hard?” he questioned at the time, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in participating fully within governmental and public institutions.
