Blind
By Kazeem Akande
Lagos, Aug.12 2018 (NAN) The Federal Government and INEC must give more support to the People With Disability (PWD) to ensure they are not disenfranchised from the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
Mr Danlami Basharu, the Director of the Anglo-Nigerian Welfare Association for the Blind (ANWAB) made the appeal on Sunday in Lagos.
Basharu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that INEC should provide data that would identify and specify PWD within the various polling units across the country.
He said that the units would be able to provide adequate information to the association before, during and after the voting period.
“We need more support and proper planning for PWD that include the blind, the deaf and dumb, people on wheel chairs and the albinos.
“Some of these people cannot endure queuing for long, INEC should make proper arrangements for them so that they can cast their votes easily during 2019 general election.’’
He said that Albinos could not stand for long time in the sun, hence, adequate support and encouragement should be given them by INEC during the exercise.
“INEC should provide polling units at where it will not pose a challenge to PWD, especially, those on wheel chairs.
“If these are not provided, it may discourage many PWD from casting their votes during the election,” he said.
Basharu also advised the political parties in the country to carry PWD along in the various communities and make proper plans for them during electioneering.
“Some of the people with disabilities are yearning to participate fully in partisan politics but there are no facilities and encouragement on ground to achieve it,” he said.
NAN reports that Mr Wale Adebajo, the Communication Manager and Political Adviser to the British High Commission in Lagos, had urged the government and INEC to consider the interests of PWD in the forthcoming election.
Adebajo said this recently in his remarks at an interactive session titled “ Dialogue for Promoting an All Inclusive Nigeria’’ organised by Across All Initiative, an NGO, agitating for good welfare for PWD.
He said that the development would allow them exercise their franchise during the forthcoming general election without stress or discrimination. (NAN)
AKA/PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada