2019: INEC assures fair deal for physically challenged

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed determination to ensure full access, participation and inclusion of Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) in the 2019 general elections.

Chairman of Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC) of INEC, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, gave the assurance yesterday in Lokoja at a workshop organised by INEC in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) for members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWDs) and other stakeholders on access and participation of PWDs in the 2019 elections.

Dr. Ogunmola, who was represented by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kogi, Prof. James Apam, said INEC accorded a lot of recognition to the franchise of PWDs who he noted constituted about 20 million of the nation’s voting population.

He said the commission, in its commitment to ensure inclusion of PWDs in the electoral process, had in September, 2018, developed a framework on access and participation of persons with disability in the electoral process in the country.

Deputy Director, CSOs Division of Voter Education at INEC headquarters, Mrs. Lakunuya Bello, said the objective of the workshop was to brainstorm and come up with better ways of ensuring participation of PWDs and disadvantaged groups across the country in the electoral process.