Dakore Ekpendu, Abuja
With the ongoing Exercise of the General Elections, there are reports of INEC abandoning people living with disabilities in Karmajiji Area of Abuja. As at 10am in the morning, there is no sight of INEC officials in place with materials for voting. People were seen lurking around the environment waiting patiently since the early hours of the day to cast their votes.
This colony is located in the Federal Capital Territory, has about 200 people living with disabilities, including physical and visual impairments.
According to reports, the colony was not provided with any special arrangements, such as braille ballot papers, sign language interpreters, or wheelchair-accessible polling stations. Yet, no assurance as of when this was taken that the officials will be sent to them.
Speaking with the chief and a few people in the community, they gave their highest assurance of regards to the INEC officials, with hopes of patience till they arrive. The lack of such arrangements meant that people living with disabilities in the colony were unable to exercise their right to vote.
Implications:
The failure of INEC to provide adequate arrangements for people living with disabilities during general elections has several implications. Firstly, it undermines the rights of people living with disabilities to participate in the democratic process. Voting is a fundamental right, and denying people living with disabilities the opportunity to vote is a violation of their human rights.
Secondly, the failure of INEC to provide adequate arrangements for people living with disabilities undermines the credibility of the electoral process. When some eligible voters are unable to participate in the electoral process due to disabilities, it creates doubts about the integrity of the election results.
Thirdly, the failure of INEC to provide adequate arrangements for people living with disabilities perpetuates discrimination and marginalization. People living with disabilities are already marginalized in many societies, and denying them the opportunity to vote further reinforces this marginalization.
The issue of INEC abandoning people living with disabilities during general elections is a serious one that needs urgent attention. INEC has a responsibility to ensure that all eligible voters, including those living with disabilities, can participate in the electoral process. The failure to provide adequate arrangements for people living with disabilities undermines their human rights, undermines the credibility of the electoral process, and perpetuates discrimination and marginalization. It is crucial that INEC takes steps to address this issue and ensure that all eligible voters can participate in the electoral process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a Nigerian agency responsible for conducting elections in the country. One of the core responsibilities of the commission is to ensure that all eligible voters, including those living with disabilities, can participate in the electoral process. However, in recent years, there have been reports of INEC abandoning people living with disabilities during general elections. This report aims to analyze the issue and its implications.
News Source- ICIR NIGERIA
