Alliance for Inclusion (AI), FCT Chapter has advocated for inclusive participation of women, Persons with disabilities and youths in the 2019 general elections.
The Head of the Coordinating Committee, Mrs Chinwe Onyeukwu made the call yesterday in a press conference in Abuja.
She described marginalization, under-representation of female candidates and absence of persons with disabilities in the electoral process as a development suicide.
“Having watched with great concern the political developments leading up to the recent submission of party candidates, we have come to the realization that except something drastic is done, Nigerian women, youths and persons with disabilities would continue to be onlookers.To allow such to continue is to commit political suicide”
Onyeukwu also lamented vote buying, intimidation and violence that marred the recent parties primaries in the states and described the electoral process as a charade.
While fielding questions from the press, Executive Director of Disability Rights Advocacy Center(DRAC),Dr Irene Patrick-Ogbogu said there is an improvement in inclusive participation of persons with disabilities in the last gubernatorial election in Osun state.
She called on INEC to provide easy accessibility to the polling stations and booths for Persons with Disabilities, arrangement of Sign Language interpreters, Braille format, and magnifying glasses.
Others are: hearing aids, wheel chairs for those with physical mobility challenges, large print for the visually impaired, adequate security at the polling stations, easy collection of Permanent Voter’s Cards, seats and separate for Persons with Disabilities while voting is in progress and among others.
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