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LASIEC promises ease in electoral participation for persons with disability

By Dennis Erezi
19 May 2022   |   2:39 pm
Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) on Thursday assured Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) of inclusion and ease of participation during elections. LASIEC Permanent Secretary Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya gave the assurance when he received members of the Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD) in a courtesy visit at the agency’s headquarters in Yaba, Lagos. Onasanya said…

Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) on Thursday assured Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) of inclusion and ease of participation during elections.

LASIEC Permanent Secretary Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya gave the assurance when he received members of the Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD) in a courtesy visit at the agency’s headquarters in Yaba, Lagos.

Onasanya said LASIEC is committed to an actionable framework to ensure all-inclusive participation during Lagos State and national elections.

“In a democratic society, every citizen regardless of ability or disability has the right to elect their leaders and in pursuit of a sustainable development, an all-inclusive process is a key area that no one should be left out,” Onasanya said.

He disclosed that LASIEC in the implementation of a strategic plan established a unit to carry out recommendations in various reports on how to encourage PwDs to participate in elections.

Onasanya said LASIEC officials will be trained on guiding visually impaired people, the deaf, and other PwD clusters to exercise their franchise.

In his response, CCD Programmes Officer Peter Ekemini, who presented an election monitoring report to LASIEC, said PwDs experienced systematic exclusion during previous national and state elections in Nigeria.

Ekemini explained that polling materials are often sighted at inaccessible positions for PwDs to vote.

“We noticed that polling booths were positioned across gutters. There were no braille versions of electoral materials for blind people. Special priorities were not given to these people including persons with albinism who can’t stay in the sun for too long due to their health.”

Ekemini urged LASIEC to examine the contents of its report for implementation and inclusive electioneering process.

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