The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has solicited for inclusion and equal participation of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral processes, ahead of the 2023 General Election.
Mr David Anyaele, Executive Director of CCD, made the call at a dialogue with Frontline Political Actors and PWDs which held on Wednesday at Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.
Anyaele spoke on findings of an assessment of the Local Government elections held in July 2021 in Lagos State, within the context of the special provision made by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) in collaboration the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA).
According to him, the purpose of involving political actors is for them to hear from the members, their challenges, barriers encountered and preparations put in place as part of inclusion of the PWDs in the 2023 general elections.
“Many among the few PWDs who voted during the July 2021 Local Government election in Lagos faced multiple barriers.
“Chief among these are, lack of sign language interpreter for the deaf cluster and discrimination against the blind.
“Some electoral materials used where not available in an accessible and understandable format for the virtually impaired (blind) cluster, persons with albinism, persons with auditory impairment and placing of polling units across the gutters,.
” These finding shows that there are barriers and these barriers we must find a way to break and conquer so that the PWDs enjoy equal voting access and political participation in Nigeria’s electoral process,” he added.
Anyaele declared that the CCD was ready and willing to work with any political party, at all levels and all parts of the country, particularly when opportunities and invitations are thrown to the body.
He said that CCD would be prepared to provide summary of any required information on any issues that actors could look into for research, while deepens knowledge around it and use it for engagement.
According to him, if government says we are budgeting one million naira for poverty alleviation, we should be able to say PWDs are benefitting without necessarily doing advocacy, campaign or meeting before being included.
“We will like to engage at the state level, candidates of different political parties, contestants for Senate, House of Representatives and State Assemblies, so that they can appreciate emerging issues and integrate it in their agenda.
“We want you to speak on issues of inclusion, participation, how people with disabilities will access basic facilities and justice in such a way that PWD will benefit, we will like to engage Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The issues that have to do with education, healthcare system and other basic facility.
“This is so that when you say you’re going to do free healthcare services, we will have an understanding of how you’re going to approach it so that PWD can have access.
