The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) has explained that the Vote-Ability campaign exercise is aimed at engaging all election stakeholders at various level to be alive to their statutory responsibilities.
FIA Executive Director, Grace Jerry, said at the launch of the campaign recently that it is aimed at advocating for the inclusion of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in electioneering exercise.
According to her, the Vote-Ability campaign will also serve as key to holding government accountable to their promises and constitutional responsibilities.
She further said the campaign will be in phases which are; pre-election day and post-election day.
IFA Board of Trustees member, Jide Ojo, urged INEC to consider giving 5 per cent of it’s ad-hoc staff recruitment to PWDs, in line with Section 28 (1) and 29 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018.
In his words, “During the training of ad-hoc staff, INEC should collaborate with Organization of Persons with Disabilities especially on the PWD component.
“To increase the targeted civic and voter education ahead of the general elections.
“Capture detailed disability type in a disaggregated format as it is currently on the form EC 40H PWD.
“The VOTE-BILITY campaign will access the implementation of Section 54 sub section 1 and 2 Nigeria Electoral Act 2022 to ascertain compliance as provided in the Act. such as Braille, large embossed print, electronic devices, sign language interpretation, or off-site voting in appropriate cases.”
