Ondo guber: NGO sensitises PWDs on active participation

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), TAF Africa, has sensitised Persons With Disabilities (PWD) on active participation in the Nov.16 governorship election in Ondo State.

Mr Adeolu Kilanko, TAF Africa Programme Manager, made the call at the “one-day of able2vote” and voter education campaign for the community of persons with Disabilities (PWDs)on Wednesday in Akure.

The education campaign was organised by the TAF Africa, and supported by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN).

Kilanko also tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on more training and sensitisation of election officials on responsiveness of PWDs to the election.

The TAF programme manager, who explained that the PWDs were facing a lot of challenges during elections, urged major stakeholders, especially INEC, to ensure that they could vote and be voted for on the election day.

“We are here to sensitise PWDs on what they need to watch out for to enable them actively participate in the forthcoming governorship election.

“Also, to sensitise them on provision of relevant laws and legal framework in Nigeria that guarantees the active participation of PWDs in elections in Nigeria

“Most challenges recorded by the PWDs have always been connected with access to poling units,” he said.

Kilanko urged PWDs to come out to caste their votes on election day, adding that TAF Africa had applied for 50 disability observers, out of which 20 had been approved for the election.

Mr Abiodun Samuel, Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, Ondo State chapter, commended the organisations for the initiative.

Samuel called for more accessibility of elections materials for the PWDs to enable them exercise their right during elections.

Also, INEC representative, Mrs Ngozi Udeh, reiterated the commission’s readiness for the provision of necessary requirements of the PWDs to cast their votes in the election.

Udeh, who said that there was enough provision for PWDs to collect their PVCs with ease at designation centres, urged them to avoid going to the centres to collect their cards at the rushing hours.