Persons living with disabilities commend INEC for involving them in electoral process

Moses Oyediran, Enugu

The Enugu State Coordinator of Disability Policy and Empowerment Consult, Mr. Samuel Obiefuna has commended Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for involving Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) in all electoral process. Obiefuna, who goes on a wheel-chair, gave the commendation in Enugu on Monday during a voter education and sensitization forum organized by INEC for Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs). He noted that INEC was really building inclusive with the release of the PLWDs active participation in electoral process document. “This document has become a motivating factor and power for every disabled person,’’ he noted. Another PLWD, Mr. George Eze, who is blind, thanked INEC for providing magnifying glasses and braille ballot papers for visual impaired and blind persons respectively. “We appreciate the preference and special treatment INEC had given us in this dispensation as well as sensitisation workshops to enlighten us as well,’’ Eze said. Presenting a paper titled; “Ensuring the Participation of People with Disabilities in 2019 general elections, Mrs. Rose Ezeugwu, State Training Officer of INEC, said the inclusion of all citizens in the electoral process was paramount in all strategies of INEC. Ezeugwu said that INEC had provided innovation in electoral process for PLWDs which includes development of poster (ECB30E) that was aimed at guiding PWDs on how to cast their votes as well as consideration of PLWDs in the polling units and voting points. She, however, enjoyed them to reciprocate the efforts of INEC by coming out en mass to participate in the elections. “Both electoral personnel and equipment, where available, will be there to assist you exercise your franchise without violating the secrecy of the ballot in anyway,’’ she noted. Head of Unit for Persons with Disability in INEC, Mr. Anthonia Ezeh said the aim of the workshop was to ensure PLWDs do not feel marginalized as well as enhance greater participation of PLWDs in electoral process. “The objectives of the meeting is also to discuss the role of INEC in ensuring participation of PLWDs in general elections, voter education on how to cast valid votes and conduct on election days,’’ Ezeh said. Earlier, Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, Resident Electoral Commissioner [REC] in Enugu State, charged PLWDs to participate actively in all aspects of electoral process. Ononamadu, represented by Chief Abunor Edor, Head of Voter Education and Publicity in INEC, lamented the inability of the PLWDs to contest for political offices in the 2019 general election, urging them to register with political parties and vie for political offices in 2023. He noted that INEC had made adequate provision for PLWDs to vote during 2019 general election, noting that PLWDs are very important citizens. “So, we will give them special preference before other electorate on the day of election,’’ he assured.