The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Press Corps chairman, Segun Ojumu, has urged INEC to do more to ensure people with disabilities, including those living with albinism are catered for.
This was made known at a one–day programme on the inclusive election in Anambra State and beyond organised by the INEC Press Corp.
According to Mr. Ojumu, the two million people living with albinism or the 35 million people with disabilities cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand.
The Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in his address, said, he will do all that is constitutionally and legally possible to avoid the constitutional challenge that may likely ensue in Anambra State if the Commission is unable to conduct elections on account of security challenges.
He said that they are aware of the fluid security situation in Anambra State and different parts of the country but will continue to work with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security at the National, State, and Local Governments towards securing the electoral environment.
Professor Yakubu, who was represented by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye, said the programme and its outcome will point a clear pathway for the smooth and successful conduct of the election.
He said that the Commission is determined to conduct a good election in Anambra State and all its processes and procedures are geared and targeted at achieving the objective assuring that votes of the people will be the only determinant of leadership succession in Anambra State
While saying that voters must be assured of their security and must feel confident approaching the polling units to exercise their democratic franchise, the Chairman appealed to all critical stakeholders to rally around the Commission and give their maximum cooperation towards achieving the goal.
According to him, the responsibility of the Commission is to organize, undertake and supervise elections within the context and ambit of the Constitution and section one hundred and seventy-eight of the Constitution has circumscribed the period for the conduct of governorship election and immovable hence the Commission will not compromise on the conduct of a good election in any part of Nigeria.
Earlier, in opening remarks, the Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the success story of the Commission has been hinged on their amplification by the media and urged journalists to utilise the provisions of the Freedom of Information act to hold governments accountable.
Stakeholders at the event including civil society legislative advocacy group, and the albino foundation stressed that inclusiveness is guaranteed in the electoral process when underrepresented groups such as people living with disabilities, albinism, women among others participate fully in the election at their own pace and will.
