Osun 2022: INEC sensitises PWDs on active participation in electoral process

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State on Monday sensitised sign language interpreters and people with hearing impairment on their expected roles in the July 16 governorship election in the state

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Prof. Abdulganiyu Raji, said the programme was organised to enlighten the group on their civic rights in the election.

Raji noted that people living with disabilities made up a reasonable percentage of the population, stating that they could not be dismissed without adequate provisions for their participation in the electoral process.

The REC added that the Commission had engaged other stakeholders on their roles in the election, noting that it was the turn of the language interpreters and people with hearing impairment.

He said: “Today is your turn, as part of stakeholders to be sensitized and enlightened on their civic rights to participate actively in the July 16, 2022 governorship election in the state.

“Other clusters of Persons with Disabilities will still be sensitized. This is with a view to encouraging you to exercise your civic responsibility on equal basis with others.

“According to the World Health Organization(WHO), 10-15 per cent of every given country constitute PWDs. 

“The implication of this is that Nigeria has close to 30 million population of PWDs going by her over 200 million estimated population.

“As a responsive and responsible Organization, this huge population cannot be shrugged-off without making provision for their adequate participation in the electoral process, hence the justification for today’s meeting.”

Raji also urged the group to mobilise their members and participate actively in the election.

He said adequate security arrangement has been put in place through Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to guarantee their safety and as well partake in the election without fear of molestation and harassment from any quarter.