Ekiti 2018: Stakeholders push for more participation of PWDs

Ahead of the governorship poll, the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) says it has put measures in place to ensure the participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

IFA’s Executive Director, Grace Jerry disclosed this at the Access Nigeria quarterly roundtable on the involvement of PWDs in elections.

He expressed optimism that no fewer than 10 PWDs would be able to cast their votes across the state on the election day.

Jerry disclosed that her outfit is embarking on sensitisation campaign, in conjunction with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to achieve the goal.

He said there would be an improvement in the figure of PWDs to an average of four persons, as recorded in the polling unit in the last Anambra governorship poll.

She said IFA’s resolve to collect data of voters with visual and hearing impairments in Ekiti and Osun states was in line with achieving its objectives.

The executive director commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its commitment to the removal of environmental and attitudinal barriers against PWDs.

Jerry urged INEC to ensure that ensure eligible voters among the country’s 29.7 million PWDs are not denied their right to participate in the political and electoral process.

She enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the National Disability Bill to mitigate the challenges faced by PWDs in the country.

INEC’s National Commissioner and chairman of its Outreach and Partnerships Committee (OPC), Dr. Ladipo Ogunmola, revealed that provision have been made for the Albinos and virtually impaired persons to participate in the Ekiti poll.

He promised that INEC would use the upcoming governorship poll in Osun State to use tactile ballot guide, or braille ballots to enable them to exercise their civic duties.