A Group, Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure the inclusiveness of Persons with Disabilities(PWDs) in the electoral process.
The Group urged INEC to ensure that all polling units were located on a flat surface and given voting priority upon arrival at the polling units.
The Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry, made the call at a Pre-election press briefing on Thursday in Benin.
Jerry stated that the group remained committed to advocating for an inclusive, free, fair and credible election in the State,
Jerry, represented by Ann Ojugo, the state chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities ( JONAPWD) urged INEC to ensure strict compliance with the electoral act.
She further called on INEC to mandate polling officials to fill PWD form EC 40H because it would provide invaluable data for INEC and further help it plan better and save cost.
“The Braille ballot guide should be made available, and INEC should categorise the Braille ballot guide as sensitive material to ensure timely and effective deployment of same.
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“Ballot boxes should be positioned where it’s easily accessible to voters with disabilities, to allow them to independently cast their ballots.”
Jerry, however, called on the security agencies to prioritise the safety of PWDs to ensure that they were not subjected to any form of violence or intimidation.
Also speaking, Cynthia Mbamu, The Programme Director, Yiaga Africa called on INEC and Security agencies to be professional and non-partisan during the election.
Mbamu said ” We in Yiaga Africa stand in solidarity with IFA and PWDs in the state and we want them to be included in the electoral process.
” The political parties are rounding up their campaigns, I have not seen any of them engaging with persons with disabilities in the state.
“We want to call on them to ensure inclusive campaigns where the PWDs of over 30 million people will be recognised.
According to her, everybody must be included in the electoral process.
Representatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) attended the event.
