The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive elections by ensuring that persons with disabilities (PWDs) participate fully in Nigeria’s electoral processes.
The INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan (SAN), gave the assurance in Kaduna on Monday while presenting a lead paper at the convention of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD).
Mr Amupitan was represented by the Kaduna State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Saidu Babura-Ahmad.
Mr Amupitan said electoral inclusion was a fundamental right rather than a privilege.
He stressed that persons with disabilities must be able to participate in voter registration, political party activities, campaigns, voting and election observation.
He said the major challenge confronting electoral inclusion was the effective implementation of existing legal provisions and policies designed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
He said the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, the Constitution and relevant electoral laws provided frameworks for promoting inclusive elections.
He noted that barriers to participation included inaccessible registration centres and polling units, discrimination, inadequate voter education materials, transportation difficulties and the exclusion of PWDs from political party structures.
Others, he said, were insufficient training of electoral officials and security personnel on disability-related issues, as well as the risk of intimidation and exploitation during elections.
The INEC chairman called for accessibility audits of registration centres and polling units, the provision of assistive devices, disability-friendly voter education and the training of electoral officials on appropriate support for voters with disabilities.
He also urged political parties to make their offices, primaries and campaigns accessible while removing barriers that discourage persons with disabilities from seeking elective positions.
Mr Amupitan said civil society organisations and the media had important roles to play in monitoring accessibility, reporting gaps and promoting inclusive electoral information.
He commended JONAPWD for organising the convention and assured the association of the commission’s commitment to supporting efforts towards electoral inclusion.
Earlier, the executive secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Ayuba Gufwan, welcomed delegates and stakeholders to the convention.
Mr Gufwan described the gathering as an important platform for advancing the rights, dignity and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Mr Gufwan acknowledged stakeholders’ contributions towards creating an enabling environment for persons with disabilities to participate in national development and exercise their rights without discrimination.
The senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Disability Matters, Muhammad Isa, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to advancing disability inclusion under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mr Isa was represented by the senior special assistant to Governor Uba Sani on disability matters, Shamsudeen Abdullahi, who said the administration remained committed to expanding access to education, healthcare, employment, political participation, social protection and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities.
He said the government was working to ensure that disability inclusion translated into practical action rather than remaining a policy promise.
He stressed that persons with disabilities should be recognised as citizens with rights, abilities and valuable contributions to national development, rather than merely as beneficiaries of charity.
Mr Isa also commended JONAPWD’s outgoing National Executive Committee for sustaining the association over the past four years, noting that leading a diverse national organisation required patience, sacrifice, consultation and commitment.
He said the outgoing leadership had helped sustain the association’s relevance as a platform for disability rights and inclusion despite the challenges associated with managing a large national organisation.
He urged the incoming leadership to build on the achievements recorded by its predecessors, consolidate existing gains and work towards improving the welfare of members.
Mr Isa further called on delegates to conduct themselves peacefully during the convention and elect leaders based on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and commitment to the interests of persons with disabilities.
He said unity and collective responsibility were essential to strengthening JONAPWD and advancing the interests of its members across the country.
The chairperson of the Convention Planning Committee, Rilwan Muhammed, said in his welcome address that Kaduna held historical significance for JONAPWD, noting that the association held its first convention in the city following its formation in 1997.
Mr Muhammed said delegates had travelled from across the country despite economic difficulties and security challenges to participate in the convention.
He urged persons with disabilities to register to vote, obtain permanent voter cards and participate actively in elections for their own good.
He also appealed to contestants and delegates to resolve disagreements through established procedures and ensure a peaceful convention.
Mr Muhammed commended the Kaduna State Government for providing an atmosphere conducive to the gathering.
The JONAPWD national president, Abdullahi Aliyu, urged members to shun violence and internal disputes during the convention and electoral process.
Mr Aliyu said the disability community must challenge negative perceptions associated with disagreements during its gatherings by demonstrating unity, discipline and peaceful competition.
He urged contestants to recognise leadership as a responsibility and called on delegates to support whoever emerged through the electoral process.
Yunusa Adipocho, special adviser to the Edo State governor on disability matters, also encouraged persons with disabilities to participate actively in politics and seek elective and appointive positions.
Mr Adipocho said his appointment demonstrated the importance of political participation in enabling persons with disabilities to contribute directly to governance.
He called for a comprehensive national database of persons with disabilities to support effective planning, policy formulation and the equitable distribution of government interventions.
He stressed that access to public services and opportunities for persons with disabilities should be treated as a right rather than a privilege.
Mr Adipocho said reliable data would help governments understand the needs of persons with disabilities and develop policies that enabled them to benefit fully from democratic governance.
Delegates from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), government officials, heads of agencies and other stakeholders attended the convention.
The theme was “Election Inclusion: Advancing the Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.”
(NAN)
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