INEC, FULLY COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES THAT PLWDS ENCOUNTERED DURING ELECTIONS 23-05-25
By Sadiq Aminu The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, says it is fully committed to addressing the identified challenges that Persons With Disabilities encountered during elections over the years .
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Charge of Anambra state , Doctor Queen Elizabeth Agwu stated this during an event in Anambra state tagged Able to Vote being organized by TAF Africa.
Providing background to the Able to Vote event, the Senior Communication Officer of TAF Africa, Lynn Agwuncha, said the sensitization programme which took place in the 3 Senatorial zones of the state including Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha , aims at boosting the moral of the PWDs and other vulnerable persons in the state to involve actively in the voting process without fear of stigmatization, harassment and intimidation.
According to her, TAF Africa is in Anambra State to commence its advocacy campaign for the inclusion of PWDs in the upcoming November 8, 2025 governorship election to boost their moral for them to have the confidence to exercise their franchise freely during the voting proper.
The INEC Commissioner, said the Commission has taken several steps to make the electoral process more inclusive which include providing Braile ballot guides to assist visually impaired voters, ensuring priority voting for PWDs and elderly citizens, constructing ramps and making polling units accessible for those with mobility challenges.
Doctor Agwu said they were also continuously training INEC officials to offer respectful and dignified assistance to all voters with disabilities who come out to exercise their franchise.
The INEC REC explained that section 54 of the 2022 electoral law reinforces INEC’s responsibility to provide adequate arrangements for the participation of PWDs in the electoral process as the Commission also ensure that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise is accessible to PWDs.
She stated that the upcoming November election in Anambra state presents a key opportunity for INEC to
demonstrate its ongoing commitment to disability inclusion, ensuring that every eligible voter including
PWDs, can cast their vote freely and fairly.
The Chief Executive of TAF Africa, Chief Jake Epelle, told the gathering thatSaid the forum brought together election stakeholders including the Police, CSOs, INEC, JONAPED, Traditional Rulers, and the Media to Understand the best practices for the inclusion of PWDs in any election with the November 8 2025 governship election in view.
Chief Epelle said apart from being able to vote, they are also encouraged to get active in political activities as such would provide them the opportunity to stand for elective positions.
Chief Epelle said apart from being able to vote, they are also encouraged to get active in political activities as such would provide them the opportunity to stand for elective positions.
He called on Goverent of Anambra State to select 10 local government areas as a pilot to testrun the inclusion of Persons With Disabilities as such would help to drive the message and encourage more participation.
A Civil Society Person, Mrs Ugochi Ehieahuruike while commending TAF for organizing the event, noted that when Persons With Disabilities come out to participate in the November 8 2025 governship election, it will no doubt increase the percentage of voters participation in Anambra State.
In his remarks, the Chairman Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, JONAPWD, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, thanked TAF Africa, INEC and the Media for their Support and championing the inclusion of his members in electoral matters and called on the participants to take advantage of the provisions of the 2022 electoral law by coming out to participate in the scheduled election in Anambra state.
Africa 247 Correspondent reports that the event which was funded by the European Union is aimed at voter education campaign for the inclusion of persons with Disabilities during the November 8 governorship election in Anambra state.