By Uzoma Nzeagwu
As the governorship election draws closer, the TAF Africa, has suggested that Persons With Disabilities, PWDs be encouraged to participate fully in elections throughout the federation to make the election inclusive.
TAF Africa, which is a civil society organization also recommended as follows; “That INEC target PWDs for registration and participation in election, given full access and freedom of movement to voting centres and contribute to socio-political issues.
”Provision of incentives to PWDs to improve their representation, adequate sensitization, ensuring that votes of PWDs count, and adequate security be provided by various security agencies during elections”, insisting that, TAF Africa aims to embrace and empower PWDs participate fully in socio-political and economic activities”.
The Group further lamented that, lack of proper voter education has raised many issues militating against PWDs, such as voter apathy, low representation, poor consideration for inclusion in voter register, arguing that the development has equally had adverse effects on their socio-economic wellbeing.
Addressing over 400 participants at a one day voter education campaign for persons with Disabilities in Nnewi, Anambra State, the Program Manager, TAF Africa, Mr. Kilanko Adeolu, frowned at what he termed the absence of relevant framework among others as a major factor limiting Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, from participating actively during elections in Nigeria.
Adeolu further condemned the situation where PWD were allegedly subjected to abuses, discriminations and humiliations during elections, lamenting that such treatments have had adverse effects on their lives as free citizens.
In an interview yesterday, Adeolu, recalled that the Federal government has enacted laws, providing for rights of an individual, including the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (Amended), Electoral Act, etc, which guarantees rights of citizens to participate in election, adding that, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, also has equally made provisions and guidelines with the aim that PWDs have adequate attention during elections.
In separate interviews, participants including Mr. Francis Chukwuka (Ekwusigo Council Area) and Ms Anna O. Obejeh (Orumba South), commended the organizers and urged for sustenance of this kind of workshop in Anambra. Contributing, the Chairman, Joint National Association of PWDs, Anambra State Chapter, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, lamented that his members have continued to face challenges before and during elections in Nigeria. “We don’t have access to INEC office and the officials, not given electoral materials to vote, … we should be given ‘Tactile’ ballot papers to aid visions (for the blind), no adequate data and we should be allowed to contest for elective positions”, he noted, insisting that all these will make elections inclusive in Nigeria if adhered to.
