The Executive Secretary, National Commission for persons with Disabilities, James Lalu, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders to give access to the disabilities community in ongoing preparation for the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun states elections.
Lalu who at a roundtable discussion on “PWDs’ inclusion and access to voting” organized by Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and Access Nigeria in Abuja, said participation in the electoral process goes beyond mere voting also seek for political representations of PWDs.
A statement issued by the Head Media and Publicity, Mbanefo JohnMichaels, indicates that Lalu outlined some notable propositions, which include; Provisions of Assistive devices for persons who are deaf and blind, engagement of sign language interpreters at each polling unit, sensitization on the right of persons with disabilities to vote as well and inclusion in all facets of electioneering, positive attitude towards the community of PWDs, and provision of disability-friendly infrastructures for easy access.
The ES added that Personal factors and political participations; lower levels of education of election officers in relation with PWDs constitute major stumbling blocks against participation of persons with disabilities.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry, who said 34% of PWDs were disenfranchised at the recent governorship election in Anambra State where 20% visually impaired persons could not access braille ballot to cast their votes, equally revealed that the overall percentage of PWDs denied access amounted to 94%.
While thanking the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, National Democratic Institute (NDI), the Nigeria Police Force, the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), for their support and cooperation toward making the event worthwhile, Jerry assured that the communique developed at the forum will become a working document for INEC and other relevant authorities in subsequent electoral processes.
