The All-Rights Foundation, (TAF – Africa), a non-governmental organisation, formally known as’The Albino Foundation’, has canvassed special attention for the over 35 million People With Disabilities, PWDs in the nations electoral process
Speaking in Ikere-Ekiti, headquarters of Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Monday, at the commencement of a weeklong sensitisation programme, organised for members, under it’s ‘Able2Vote’ project, the Assistant Programme Manager of TAF – Africa, Mr. George Dominic said Nigeria currently has well over 35 million PWD’s that can not be ignored in any democracy that is genuinely participatory.
According to him, isolation of the PWDs in many years past had continually denied them their rightful participation, and that by extension, had denied the country of such huge figures of adult and willing voters.
NAN reports that he said, in any sane society, both the INEC and governments must know that PWDs have same rights, as referred to as normal human beings.
” Canvassing PWDs inclusion in elections is not just for the fun of ot. Before and during elections, PWDs must be able to join any political parties of their choice, access voting arena or venues without stress, and also exercise their voting rights without any hindrance”, he said.
He stressed that INEC must make sure provisions are made for those with disabilities, either by using signs or human instructors at voting venues, as well as providing interpreters for those with air impairment.
Dominic reiterated that both the Constitution of the Federal Republic and the Electoral acts had already provided for inclusion of PWDs in the electoral process, thereby making it a crime not to follow those rules.
” PWDs must be given accelerated attention whenever they get to polling boots, over and above others at poling stations.
” In a situation where there are not given such preferential treatment, they must be able to protest against any form of discrimination.
” Also, INEC must be courageous enough to engage PWDs as Ad – Hoc staff and provide interpreters for them”, he added.
It is reported that TAF Africa, (formerly The Albino Foundation), is a non-profit organisation, committed to promoting disability inclusion and advancing the rights and participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and other vulnerable groups,
The Community Outreach Campaign by the NGO, is scheduled to hold across selected communities
in Ekiti, aside Ikere-Ekiti.
Others are : Illupeju (Oye LGA) – 18th May, Otun (Moba LGA) – 20th May, Ado North (Ado LGA) – 20th May,
Ado West (Ado LGA) – 22nd May, and
Ado Central (Ado LGA) – 22nd May.
” As Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle, TAF Africa is intensifying efforts to promote inclusive political participation, through grassroots voter education and civic engagement.
The Able2Vote campaign, is designed to empower citizens, particularly persons with disabilities and marginalized groups, with vital information about their electoral rights, democratic participation, and the importance of inclusive governance.
” The objectives of the community outreach campaign are to: Promote voter education and civic awareness among community members, encourage inclusive participation of Persons with Disabilities in the electoral process.
“It also include: Fostering collaboration between stakeholders, communities, and the media in advancing inclusive elections, and strengthening community engagement on democratic rights and responsibilities”, said the organisers.
