Elections: Foundation urges INEC to deploy assistive tools for PWDs

The Albino Foundation Africa (TAF Africa) has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) to fulfil its promise to the community of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by adequately deploying assistive tools in the March 11 elections.

Founder ,Chief Executive Officer, TAF Africa Jake Epelle, made the call on Tuesday in the Post Election statement on the participation of PWDs in the presidential and national assembly elections.

Epelle said that the call was imperative to address the lapses noted in the participation of PWDs in the Feb. 25 elections .

He said that the deployment would help the confidence of the disability community in the electoral process which was marred by the unsatisfactory delivery of the elections.

He said that TAF Africa in the bid to achieve increased participation of PWDs in elections as well as establishing if the election is free ,fair and credible established the TAF Africa PWD Election Hub.

“TAF Africa deployed 700 observers and launched its Election Hub for analysis, review and assessment of key issues capable of undermining the active participation of PWDs in the elections.

“INEC was expected to provide 21,165 magnifying glasses at 16,071 Polling units for persons with albinism and minor visual impairment.

“INEC was also supposed to provide 6,167 posters at 5,085 PUs for those with hearing impairment, and 8,117 braille ballot guides at 5,957 PUs for the visually impaired.

“PWDs are supposed to enjoy priority voting ,which is their legal rights as contained in Section 54,sub section 1 and 2 of the electoral act.

“Unfortunately, these expectations were not totally met and it successfully frustrated the participation of PWDs in the elections.

Epelle said that the process was flawed by violence ,lateness of poling officials and the communication gap by INEC .

He said that for instance ,in the FCT ,Gwarinpa ward, KaronMajigi disable community polling unit ,PWDs were not given priority voting which discouraged their participation.

“Kubwa village ,Kofar Sarki and Deidei primary school in Kubwa ward, Bwari Area Council are expected to have at least six and 13 registered visually impaired persons.

“As such at least one braile ballot guide should be provided at these Polling units ,but on the contrary, large font posters for the deaf were the only assistive devices made available.

“Similarly, persons with albinism registered at Games village, Garki,Saburi and Gwagwa wards ,all in the Abuja Municipal Area Council were not provided with magnifying glasses. “

Epelle said TAF Africa called on INEC to provide details on how assistive tools were deployed to various polling units bearing in mind the various clusters of disabilities and their peculiar needs.(NAN)

Institute advises President-elect on inclusive government

The Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) has charged the Presidentelect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, to be magnanimous in victory by running a government of inclusion.

President and Chairman of Council, NIM, Dr Christiana Atako, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

NAN reports that INEC had on Wednesday declared Tinubu as President-elect, following a keenly contested election on Feb. 25, and has presented the Certificate of Return to him.

According to the NIM president, running a government of inclusion will foster national unity and integration, irrespective of religious inclination, ethnocentric and cultural diversity, and political affiliation.

Atako stated that running an inclusive government meant extending a hand of fellowship to other contestants in the just concluded presidential poll, to move the nation forward on the path of progress and development.

She advised the Tinubu to see himself as a President for all, and be mindful of the fact that power comes from God, and it is given for the benefit of mankind.

Atako charged Tinubu to ensure that only credible, honest and professionals, who have distinguished themselves in their fields of endeavour, would be appointed as members of his cabinet.

She said: “NIM notes that the affairs of the country need to be properly managed.

“The President-elect must ensure that only men and women, who have made significant and positive impact in the unity and development of the country, are appointed as members of his cabinet.

“Those to pilot the affairs of the nation, under the new dispensation, should be men and women of integrity, accountability, probity, fairness, effectiveness, efficiency and transparency, which are some of the values the institute shares and practises.

“Sen. Bola Tinubu and the incoming government are advised to partner with and constantly consult professional bodies, who are always willing to render selfless service for the good of the nation.”

Atako enjoined the entire citizenry to close ranks and join hands with the incoming administration, to move the nation forward.

She said that would serve as the fastest way to heal the nation of the rancour and bad blood, thrown up by the partisanship experienced before, during and after the election.

“I advise Nigerians to desire and pursue peace at all times, and address any perceived injustice through constitutional means.

“The people of Nigeria should be an integral part of the leadership process, contributing to the success of governance.

“They should exhibit the much desired followership qualities of humility, support for authority, commitment to the vision of the leader, respect and trust for the leadership of the country,” she said. (NAN)