The Albino Foundation has called for mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in electoral process in the 2023 elections.
The group made the call in an event organised to reduce voter apathy to the barest minimum and promote the mainstreaming of persons with disability in electoral process held on Monday, 21 November, 2022.
Mrs. Benny Goodnews, Head of Unit, Disability Desk, Abuja, urged persons with disabilities (PWDs) to be part of the electoral system and make everything in the nation inclusive.
She said the INEC has since the past eight years made efforts to ensure the inclusion of PWDs in electoral process. She tasked PWDs to not only get their voter cards ready but also to participate in politics.
She also said the INEC doesn’t have the resources needed to hire sign language interpreters in all polling units, adding that the costs to employ the service of these persons are expensive. She however assured that this will be looked into after the 2023 elections. She urged qualified sign language interpreters to apply to volunteer as INEC staff.
Mrs. Adenike Tadese, HOD voter education and publicity INEC, Lagos State, charges persons with disabilities to participate in politics starting from the community level.
Tadese said “compete from the community where people know you. Don’t say there is no money to compete in politics. You have what it takes. Let people know that it is your right, don’t be left behind.
“2023 is coming, thank God for the great opportunity. We are not only there to vote, we are also there to be voted for.
Jake Epelle, Executive Director of the Albino Foundation, urged persons with disabilities to make the most of political participation as the 2023 general elections approach.
Epelle said “the time has come for persons with disabilities to fully take part in elections as a civic responsibility.
“I charge you and I challenge you today. If this country is looking for a President, governor or a house of representative member, look no further because you are the one.
“We have a wonderful opportunity before us. This is the fact that for the first time in the history of the electoral process in this country that persons with disabilities will constitute 16% of the entire electorate.
“There has never been any time better than now that this community is coming together. We are not just ready to vote, we are ready to be voted for,” he said
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