200 Observers With Disabilities To Monitor Anambra Governorship Election

The country Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association, IFA, Mr. Jerry Grace has said that about two hundred trained observers with disabilities have been deployed to Anambra State to monitor today’s governorship election.

ABS correspondent Blessing Dennis reports that Mr. Grace stated this at a pre-election press conference, organized by the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, Access Nigeria, Inclusive Friends and the National Democratic Institute, NDI, on polling unit accessibility audit for today’s governorship election.

The meeting was aimed at briefing journalists on the importance of persons with disabilities to the electoral process in line with Access Nigeria campaign to engage the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to sustain organized voting during the election to ensure credible results.

Also speaking, a representative of Joint Association of Persons Living with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Anambra State, Lady Chidimma Ajemba called for special attention to be given to persons with disabilities to take part in the electoral processes by reducing physical, attitudinal and institutional barriers that make it difficult for them to participate.

On his part, the deputy Country Director of NDI, Mr. Francis Madugu charged INEC, to ensure that Persons Living with Disabilities are provided a friendly election environment, including written instructions on voting materials.

He also appreciated Governor Willie Obiano for his friendly policies toward them and expressed hope that the next administration would do more.