Polls: Physically challenged voters share experiences, expectations
the polling unit and assisted me in casting my vote.”
He lamented that the directive INEC gave for special consideration to be given to physically challenged at polling units did not in any way work in some of them, adding that it was only some among the physically challenged who were lucky.
However, the story is different for Abubakar Mohammed, a cripple teenager, who attested to have voted without stress.
“I was at the Mabera Magaji model Primary school polling unit as early as 8.45a.m and in less than half an hour, I cast my vote and left the place. The election officers greatly assisted me, and it happened that I was the only person with disability at the time.”
He expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made for the election and looks forward to the next polls.
Also, 25-year-old crippled lady, Jamila Musa, a first time voter, said she voted at the Government House polling unit.
“I joined my colleagues for the exercise and we arrived the polling unit at 8.am. We met a long queue but a Good Samaritan assisted us by informing INEC officials of our presence.We were immediately allowed to cast our ballots. I hung around the vicinity until around 11 am before I went back home.”
She expressed satisfaction with INEC’s arrangement for the physically challenged persons.
Jamila, who hails from Mabera Iddi area in Sokoto South lpcal government area, however called for more support to the physically hallenged from all tiers of government.
Abubakar Abdullahi, 65, a leper said he got to the Sama Road Junction polling at about 8:45 am where he cast his vote.
“In less than half an hour, I cast my vote and left the place immediately. The INEC officials assisted us so much and people on
queue did not object to the decision to allow us vote without joining the queue.”
Muhammadu Nomadira, 60, from Rabah village in Rabah Local Government, also a leper, was full of gratitude to God that he did not encounter any stress, and that he successfully cast his vote.
“I had been worried over the election not because of its outcome but whether they are going to make it easy for the persons living with disabilities. Even when INEC announced its arrangements for us, I thought it was not going to be this easy but I am happy now, and look forward to the next election.”