“The vulnerable are the most susceptible to a controlled vote. We want to stop this. We must ensure that people with disabilities can freely express their right to vote“. This was stated by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Hasan Ademov during a meeting with the National Representative Organizations of People with Disabilities. He expressed his desire for the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the organizations to work together to achieve this justice.
“We will rely on your signals and the opportunities you have for monitoring. We are ready to immediately check if there is any evidence of irregularity“, said Minister Ademov. He requested information about the main problems faced by people with disabilities during elections, such as the ability to get to polling stations, the accessibility of the environment in them, and assistance from their members.
In front of Minister Ademov, the representatives of the national organizations shared that in small settlements an accessible environment is often not provided that would allow people with disabilities to vote, and they themselves do not want to do this with a mobile ballot box due to the many signals of manipulation.
“All social payments are guaranteed, on Wednesday the government adopted an extension law on the budget, which will be submitted to the National Assembly“, the Minister of Social Affairs reassured. He added that in these conditions a way is being sought to support vulnerable Bulgarian citizens through European programs as well. In mid-March, the distribution of food packages with 11 basic products will begin, with people with disabilities being one of the main groups that will receive them.
“We decided that we need to accelerate this support because there are our compatriots who really need it now, in the winter months“, said Hasan Ademov. He was categorical that the ministry will work to prevent the food packages from being used for election purposes. “We need to stop the abuses of “vote for bread“. Our function is preventive and we are not attacking mayors or employees in the social sphere, but vicious practices“, he added.
During the meeting, the possibilities for improving the system for people with disabilities, as well as ways to provide employment for them, were also discussed. “You are worthy people and you want your main income to come from work. In two months, the horizon of a caretaker government, we will not be able to achieve a lasting solution, but we can lay the foundations“, Minister Ademov also said.
During the meeting, Minister Ademov congratulated the Chairman of the Union of the Blind in Bulgaria, Vasil Dolapchiev, on his birthday.