by Chris Agbo
Executive Director of Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) David Anyaele has cautioned that persons with disabilities may not be able to vote in the forthcoming elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States because of the security challenges in both states.
He made this statement in Abuja on Tuesday while presenting an assessment report on provisions by the Independent National Electoral Commission for PWDS in Kogi State ahead of the polls. He said that politicians in these states are talking like warlords and advised the PWDs to stay clear if the polling centres are not safe for them because it is only the living can vote in another election.
Speaking further, he called on INEC and security agencies to provide adequate security for PWDs who are willing to vote.
Many states have no law protecting PWDs and as such, they will not have facilities for PWDs. for example, Bayelsa state is no law protecting PWDs”
Mr, David Anyaele said that he submitted his assessment report to INEC because in their framework, they had promised to provide facilities such as materials in Braille format, magnifying glasses, and others, to make it easy for PWDs to vote and also priority voting for PWDs which means that PWDs should be allowed to vote first.
He categorically stated that his organisation would monitor the elections to ensure that INEC provided all the special materials for PWDs and ensure that the right thing is done in accordance with INEC framework, Disability rights Act and UNCRPD.
He concluded by saying that if INEC lived up to expectation, his organization will commend them but if INEC fell short of the expectation, his organization will inform the public that INEC promise is all a scam because money was mapped out for these provisions.
