Persons with disability decry confidence on security agencies during election
The fear of not being protected during elections is one of the major factors affecting the participation of people living with disability in exercising their franchise, says Joshua yenle, Chairman, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Plateau State.
Mr. Yenle, said security agencies do not have the protection of persons with special needs as top priority as they are mostly forgotten in the society, “how then can we actively participate during voting process when our security is not considered”, he said.
Yenle stated this during on Friday during a Town Hall Meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, Adie Jeremiah Undie, organised by Community Action For Popular Participation (CAPP).
Speaking on the topic Election Security, Electoral Reforms and Good Governance Mr. Yenle narrated a story involving a physically challenged, who’s wife was rapped twice by bandits and reporting the incident to security operatives, they did nothing to bring the culprits to book, he lamented.
He wonder how the victim would have confidence exercising his franchise in an area where he feels insecure especially for those who live in a troubled area where Fulani herdsmen and farmers often clash.
Responding, the Commissioner of Police, CP Undie said the force is doing everything within the provision of the law to strengthen security measures as it affects person with special needs, especially during elections.
The CP said the force often collaborate with the Independent Electoral Commission INEC during every election year to fashion ways in which the participation of the physically challenged is encouraged.
Represented by CSP Akomolede Yemi Daniel, the CP said, “the deployment of Police to secure election is not targeted to an individual, as violent act goes beyond acts perpetrated with guns and other harmful arms.
“So we strategies to arrest any act capable of jeopardising the lives of individuals.
“In the case of the physically challenged, we work closely with the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure that additional security and attention is given to them”, he said.
Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos
