IN the run-up to the general election, the Scope shop in Selby is asking local people to explain why voting matters to them.

It is part of a campaign called Polls Apart, run by disability charity Scope, and the aim is to raise awareness about the barriers disabled people face when it comes to voting.

Local residents will be asked to share their views when they visit the shop. Their comments will be displayed in the shop window until April 12.

Research carried out by Scope at the last general election showed that 68 per cent of all polling stations had one or more access barriers that could prevent a disabled person from voting independently and in private. Lisa Haywood, the local Scope shop manager, said: “We hope lots of people in the local community will join in and have their say in our eye-catching window display. I’m sure people will come up with all sorts of interesting reasons.

“Voting is really important to disabled people but unfortunately many are still being denied the opportunity to exercise their democratic right because of access barriers at local polling stations. Disabled people should have the same right to cast their vote in person as everyone else.”