A fund to support disabled candidates to participate in parliamentary elections is now open for applications.

Disabled people seeking selection or standing as a candidate in a parliamentary general election or by-election can apply for a grant from the Election Access Fund Te Tomokanga — Pūtea Whakatapoko Pōtitanga to help cover their costs.

The fund can be used to pay for disability-related costs during selection or campaigning – for example, accessible transport to events or meetings, or specialist equipment.

The Electoral Commission consulted with disabled people, disabled people's organisations, political parties, and other interested groups, before finalising how the fund would be managed.

'On advice from the community, we have designed the processes around the Election Access Fund to offer independence, choice and autonomy for the applicant,” says chief electoral officer, Karl Le Quesne.

Information on the eligibility criteria and how to apply for funding is available online and in alternate formats at: elections.nz