Stakeholders Make Case For PWD Participation In Political Process

Stakeholders in electoral and political processes have stressed the need for the active participation of Persons With Disabilities PWD in electoral and political processes.

The concession was reached at a round table meeting organized in Osogbo by Inclusive Friends Association IFA in collaboration with National Endowment for Democracy NED for Persons with Disabilities, PWD, Electoral Umpires, INEC, Political Parties, Civil Society Organizations, Media among others.

Welcoming participants, the Executive Director, Inclusive Friends Association, Grace Jerry along with the Programme Director, Stephen Idoko canvassed the need for political and electoral stakeholders to evolve strategies that would enhance PWD easy participation in the processes.

They equally urged government to ensure the full implementation of policies to guarantee the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Idogo also charged political party leaders to open conversations about PWD Inclusiveness in their party structures.

Speaking, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. AbdulGaniy Olayinka Raji expressed the commitment of  Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to PDW full participation in electoral process.

He noted that INEC has formulated policies to enhance PWD participation in all electoral process and enjoined political parties to create the enabling environment for their participation like every other persons.

Raji said that he has made it mandatory for the involvement of all National Youth Service Corps NYSC members in Osun who are PWD as ad hock staff of the commission in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.