2023: IFA calls for building ramps, handrails at polling units

The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to bring polling units (PUs) down from the verandas of public buildings to the ground floors or build ramps and handrails at the PUs located in public buildings to make them more accessible for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry, made the call weekend in Abuja, ahead of the November Anambra State governorship elections and the 2023 General Elections.

She was speaking at the just-concluded National Stakeholders roundtable meeting themed, “Implementing the disability law nationwide in relation to election accessibility and political participation for PWDs with Focus on the Anambra, Ekiti and Osun off-cycle elections” organised by the IFA, Participate Today and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

She noted that the political participation is clearly rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which mentions the right of every person to equal participation in public affairs, the right to vote and to be elected, and the right to access to public service.

“Though IFA made important progress to strengthen the capacity of persons with disabilities to advance their rights and participate in political processes and to improve government inclusion of and responsiveness to persons with disabilities in Nigeria, we are yet to get to the desired target,” Jerry said.

On his part, INEC Director, Voter Education and Publicity Department, Mr. Nick Dazang, said that in time past the commission has made it a priority to deliver free fair and credible elections.

“I am not saying that we have fully succeeded in that but after making some incremental improvements on that we have also tried to address the issue of marginalized groups and we have taken concrete steps to mainstream gender and marginalized groups. We will continue to make sure that we mainstream all group because our elections will not be complete if all and sundry do not participate.

“Because of the premium the commission places on mainstreaming gender and all marginalized groups, following its re-organization, it has created a new department of Gender and Inclusivity. So, this shows you that INEC is not just talking, it is working the talk and INEC is a solid partner you can hold on,” Dazang said.

Also, the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Dr. Aishatu Jibril Duku, said, “We must insist on the full implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and imposes sanctions including fines and prisons sentences on those who contravene it.”