Miyazaki Disabled Man Gave Up on Voting After Mother’s Help Deemed Interference by Polling Station Staff

From The Yomiuri Shimbun via Yahoo! Japan

June 19 2026

Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Pref – It has emerged that during the Miyakonojo City Assembly election in Miyazaki Prefecture this January, a male voter in his 30s with disabilities gave up on voting because of inadequate explanations and other mistakes by polling station staff.

According to the city and other sources, the man requires assistance with walking and also has a visual impairment. He visited the polling station together with his mother. Because it took him some time to complete his ballot, his mother spoke to him while standing nearby. However, polling station staff judged her actions to constitute “voting interference,” which is prohibited under the Public Offices Election Act.

The staff then separated the man from his mother and had several officials deal with him instead. As a result, the man reportedly became panicked and abandoned his attempt to vote.

The city election administration committee acknowledged that staff had failed to adequately explain both the proxy voting system, under which election officials can assist by writing on behalf of voters, and the rules regarding voting interference. Admitting the mishandling, the committee stated:

“We take this incident extremely seriously and sincerely apologize to the individual and his family. We will work to create an environment in which all citizens can vote with peace of mind.”