A/HRC/19/36 72. The replies to the questionnaire provide a number of positive examples of the efforts undertaken by States to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise their voting rights on an equal basis with others. However, they also show that in many countries persons with disabilities continue to encounter a number of physical and communication barriers, ranging from inaccessible polling stations to the lack of information in accessible formats, that prevent or limit their equal and effective participation in the conduct of public affairs. Much more needs to be done to ensure the equal and effective enjoyment of political rights by all persons with disabilities. 73. Article 29 (a) (iii) requires States parties to adopt appropriate measures to allow persons with disabilities who cannot exercise their right to vote independently to be assisted in voting by a person of their own choice. In their replies, States have provided several examples of the assistance that persons with disabilities can obtain in order to exercise their right to vote. In particular, they listed a number of alternative ways of voting, such as postal voting or voting at special polling stations, that have been developed and implemented to facilitate the political participation of persons with disabilities. 74. The appropriateness of these measures should always be assessed against the general obligation to include persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and to promote their independence, autonomy and dignity. Alternative ways of voting should only be used in cases where it is not possible, or it is extremely difficult, for persons with disabilities to vote in polling stations, like everyone else. General reliance on voting assistance and alternative voting as a way to ensure the political participation of persons with disabilities would not be consistent with the general obligations undertaken by States parties under articles 4 and 29 of the Convention. 16