Judex Okoro, Calabar
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised to modify its processes to accommodate more disabled persons in the nation’s election process.
The commission said it hoped to achieve this through expanding its framework on access and participation of people living with disabilities. Besides, it would work with stakeholders to bridge the gaps that hinder their participation in the electoral process.
INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this in Calabar, Cross River State, during a one-day validation process to expand the capacity of the commission to accommodate disabled persons.
Yakubu, who was represented by a national commissioner, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, said that over time, the commission had identified gaps that militate against the participation of disabled persons and have taken appropriate steps to mitigate these challenges.
“As a commission, we are committed now, more than ever to meaningfully uphold and incrementally improve the gains made in the advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities to accessible and inclusive electoral process.
“It is important to note that this INEC framework on access and participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process is an internal work aimed towards strengthening the commission as an institution that is inclusive in its human and financial resources as well as in its practice and process,” he said.
He stated that the process of developing the framework had been a long and difficult journey, which involved consultations and meetings, especially with the Joint National Association of Disabled Persons. He said the process was consistent with the Electoral Act (2010) and the 1999 Constitution as amended.
In his goodwill message, the country director, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), Shalva Kpishize, commended the commission for its efforts to develop, validate and approve a framework that would ensure full participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process.
In his presentation, the resident electoral commissioner of Cross River State, Dr. Frankland Briyai, said the commission was determined to reduce inequality and exclusion in the electioneering processes, assuring that the framework being worked on would go a long way in achieving this.
“This is consistent with the commission’s vision of reducing inequality and exclusion in the electoral process,” he said, adding that the commission had made significant achievements in assisting persons with disabilities by providing magnifying glasses for albinos and electoral information on Braille, which was tested during the 2017 Anambra governorship election.
“The efforts of the commission will no doubt boost the confidence of over 25 million people living with disabilities in Nigeria and they will all come out and exercise their right, which is not only about votes but contributing their national quota to national development through building of a vibrant responsive democracy,” Briyai said.
Also speaking, the resident electoral commissioner of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Mike Igini, who participated alongside 18 other resident electoral commissioners from the six geopolitical zones, said the system being worked on by INEC would guarantee inclusiveness and equality in Nigeria’s elections.
He said: “In 2019 and beyond, every segment of the country eligible to vote should not be denied on account of challenges of disabilities. At some point in life, every human being may have issues of limitation in ability in terms of age, where you would not be able to do anything. The system should be able to support you to exercise the full rights of a citizen.”