A non governmental organization, Inclusive Friends Association has appealed to the INEC, security agencies and members of the public to ensure easy access to persons with disabilities to cast their vote during the 2023 poll in the country..
The Country Project Manager of the association in Nigeria Mr. Stephen Idobo made the appeal at a stakeholders meeting in Sokoto aimed at creating awareness on the need to ensure persons with disabilities exercise their rights to vote and be voted.
Mr. Stephen explained that the Association is a women and persons with disabilities non profit organization that seeks to address issues related to inclusion and participation of over 30 millions persons with disabilities not only in politics , but in all human endeavours through advocacy, research and awareness campaign with a view to enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities in the country.
The country project manager noted that polling stations on the elections day are always crowdy, making it difficult for persons with disabilities to exercise their franchise to vote.
In her speech, the INEC representative at the event, Hajiya Aisha Muhammad said the Commission has provided the needed mechanisms for persons with disabilities to vote without difficulties.
Also speaking, the representative of the Police Commissioner DSP Monica Enoch and that of the Civil Defense, Deputy Commandant of the Civil Defense in Sokoto Mrs Awoson Folake assured that both the police and civil defense would work closely in a bid to ensuring all persons with disabilities are allowed to vote without difficulties.
NASIR MALALI
