By Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has disclosed plans to partner with National Commission for Persons with Disability, NCPWD to ensure absolute inclusivity for Persons with Disabilities, PWD in the 2023 general election.
At a joint news conference in Abuja, organised by the NCPWDs in partnership with Inclusive Friends Association, IFA, Mr. Yahaya Bello, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, reiterated that PWD will not be disenfranchised and will also enjoy adequate inclusion in the electoral process.
According to Bello, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, is passionate about PWDs.
“This is to ensure that they are not disenfranchised, and have included exclusivity in the processes to take care of PWDs. The idea of gathering and facilitating the registration of PWDs is very commendable, especially in view of the NCPWD mandate towards inclusivity in elections.
“The future of Nigeria is our collective responsibility and your voice and vote is your power. So we want to use this forum to call on PWDs to come in mass and register in the CVR exercise in FCT,” Bello said.
Also, speaking the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Mr James Lalu explained that all candidates from the different political parties for the 2023 general elections should be aware that PWDs have a voice and their vote would count.
He advised that candidates should look for disability communities in their constituencies and engage them positively towards the 2023 general elections.
He said, “With the coming into being of the Persons with Disability Prohibition Act, it has escalated a lot of opportunities for the respect, right and dignity of PWDs in Nigeria.”
