Create module to allow us vote online, PWDs tell INEC

Persons With Disabilities, PWDs in Delta State, have appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to create a module that would allow them who are ICT complaint to vote online, irrespective of where they reside across the country.

Our Principal Correspondent, reports that the PWDs made the appeal cum suggestion Wednesday February 8, during a Town hall meeting organized in Warri, Delta State, by an NGO, Inclusive Friends Association, IFA.

The immediate past President, Joint Association of Persons Living with Disabilities in Delta State and Special Assistant to Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on Persons With Disabilities, Comrade Obruche Isaac Omor, urged INEC to support PWDs in terms of mobility ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Comrade Omor, commended Inclusive Friends Association, IFA, for organizing the Town Hall meeting for PWDs, tagged "GET OUT THE VOTE" (GOTV) adding that over “400 thousand persons living with disabilities in Delta State are well aware of the electoral process”.

Molly Joshua, fielding questions from newsmen

The Programme Manager, IFA, Molly Joshua, said they were in Warri to sensitize eligible voters among the persons with disabilities, due to their large numbers, assuring that the Access Nigeria Programme, will go a long way to educate PWDs on their role in the 2023 elections, especially on how to vote.

According to him, Access Nigeria, through IFA will promote the activities of PWDs, to make sure they get adequate attention from INEC, going forward.

In an address on behalf of Grace Jerry, the Executive Director, Inclusive Friends Association, the Programme Officer of IFA, Tracy Onabis, noted: "The Access Nigeria Campaign, have over the years documented good successes through GOTV engagement, which provides PWDs the opportunity to synergize their idea and document strategies to mobilize PWDs’ communities for Participation during the forthcoming elections”.

Molly Joshua (left) participants & Osas Edosan (extreme right)

The IFA address, added: “As an Organization of PWDs, we recognize the efforts of INEC, security agencies, political parties and the media, in ensuring that the welfare of PWDs improve as it relates to election matters. I like to emphasize that, this meeting is not to witch-hunt any stakeholder, but to document the gains made, identify challenges, and pave way for collaborations in order to provide adequate recommendations to better the lot of PWDs during the polls.

"We also look forward to observing the full implementation of section 54(2) of the recently amended Electoral Act, 2022, which mandates INEC to provide necessary assistive materials and accessibility to persons with disabilities, towards an independent voting process”.

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