Not a gathering of the downcast or people with self-pity, but an assembly of enthusiastic and energetic Nigerians; as People with Disabilities, keen on promoting inclusivity and improved participation in the 2023 general elections, took the Able2Vote campaign to the south south zone on Monday. The Electoral Act in section 54 recognizes and empowers People
Not a gathering of the downcast or people with self-pity, but an assembly of enthusiastic and energetic Nigerians; as People with Disabilities, keen on promoting inclusivity and improved participation in the 2023 general elections, took the Able2Vote campaign to the south south zone on Monday.
The Electoral Act in section 54 recognizes and empowers People with Disabilities to participate actively in the electioneering process and the Albino Foundation has decided to champion mobilization for their inclusivity by launching a nationwide campaign with the theme #ABLEtoVOTE. The first in the series took place in Abuja and the one in Port Harcourt on Monday is the fourth.
Cross section of participants including Ambassador Jake Epelle of The Albino Foundation
The programme which aims at a drastic reduction in participation of persons living with disabilities held at the Swiss Spirit Hotel and suites, Port Harcourt. It is also directed at educating Persons with Disabilities on knowing their rights and being made aware of the availability of enabling equipment to reduce their nonchalant attitude to the electoral process.
The Albino Foundation is one of the partners being supported under the European Union-SDGN11 programme. The seminar was attended by different stakeholders like the National chairman of the Joint National Association of People With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Mr Kie Omobanu, the Administrative secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Richter Alabraba, Head of Department, Voter Education, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr Mark Usolor, the Executive Director FAECARE Foundation, Ndifereke Andrew Esien, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Chris Isiguzo among others.
Speaking on the need for every Nigerian to get involved in the country’s electioneering process by exercising their franchise, the Chief Executive Officer of the Albino Foundation, Ambassador Jake Epelle encouraged the participants to contribute their quota to bring in good governance in the country. He assured them that the government and the whole country are rooting for the persons with disabilities to change the narrative, as his foundation is ready to give them the required support to vote and be voted for. “Our Cjob is to ensure the inclusiveness of persons living with disabilities, to enable them to participate fully in the electoral process.
“All we want is the absolute inclusion of PWDs in every aspect of the election process, as any democratic process that is void of inclusivity is a total rape of democracy. We are not only fighting for inclusion but also developing the necessary tools that will make inclusion a reality. I want to encourage you to contest for any positions you desire because you are part of the system now, and as for those who have lost in their primaries, we will meet to review what went wrong. We are not saying INEC has done all things perfectly, but we are not where we used to be, so that is a good sign for us all”.
He further commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for giving the PWDs support in their decision-making, saying that with their contribution, the country is going for a positive route towards inclusivity.
Mr. Richter Alabraba, INEC Administrative Secretary, Rivers state, in his keynote address, acknowledge the PWDs and their roles in conducting successful elections. As a result of this, the INEC has been prompted to engender mainstreaming of PWDs into all its electoral policies. He said that the commission is prioritizing the comfort of PWDs in the coming elections.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission have ensured the engendered mainstreaming of the PWDs into all electoral matters throughout the electoral phases. The commission has also taken into consideration the electoral rights of every citizen and has also taken adequate steps to remove barriers that restrict the full participation of People Living with Disabilities as voters”.
He added that section 54 of the electoral acts 2022 has provided room for the PWDs to receive assistance to be given to voters with visual impairment and other types of impairments by a person they choose, provision of braille ballots, large embossed print, electronic devices for the enhancement of hearing, magnifying glasses, sign language interpreters. He noted that the newly enacted Electoral Act creates comfort for the PWDs. For instance, they will not be allowed to stand in the queue during the voting process, and they are to be attended to first.
Participants at the programme
He concluded with the assurance that all votes will count in the coming elections, stating that the implementation of the new technology by INEC is a way to bring in transparency to the Nigeria elections.
Responding to the INEC, the chairman of the JONAPWD lauded the commission for its right approach by ensuring that there is inclusivity in the country’s electioneering process. He, however, asked the election umpire to fulfil the promises it has made. He also urged PWDs to wake up to the provisions made for them to participate actively in Nigeria’s Democracy.
“I want to commend the INEC for the new development we are having in the country for the PWDs, however, we urged the INEC to make the environment conducive for us during the elections by giving us enough materials needed to cast our votes. To the PWDs, it is good to your right, because knowing your rights helps you that you are protected”, he concluded.
Also speaking during the panel session moderated by Ndifreke Andrew Esien, INEC Head of Department voter education reiterated that the PWDs will be given special treatment at the polls. He added that the commission will not tolerate stigmatization of the PWDs.
NUJ President Mr. Chris Isiguzo addressing participants
The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, comrade Chris Isiguzo, also charged the PWDs to come out during the elections to vote. According to him, through exercising their franchise, they can boast of their contributions. His words: “We must exercise our franchise on the day of election, that is the only way of saying we have contributed in enthroning a new leadership that will take our country to the Eldorado”, he said.
