By our correspondent
Ahead of the November 16 governorship poll in Kogi State, the Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC), has recruited that 81 persons with disabilities ad hoc staff .
The Director, Voter Education and Publicity, INEC in the state,Ahmed Biambo ,made this disclosure during a one-day sensitization forum organised by the commission for persons living with disabilities.
The director, who said that the recruited ad-hoc staff will be deployed to polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state, said that the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) had ordered that they be posted to non-volatile areas , noting that they will be trained on the use of braille ballot guide among others.
He thanked the commission for the inclusion of physically challenged people in the electoral process, saying that it has given them a sense of belonging.
Yahaya, charged members of the association to come out on election day to vote for a candidate of their choice and advised those recruited as ad hoc staff to give a good account of themselves.
Apam, said that persons with disabilities will be given access to polling unit unhindered saying that they will also be accorded priority to vote first before others.
He explained that security agents had been properly briefed on how to treat person with disabilities on election day, urging all of them to come out and vote.
The Deputy Director, Civil Society Organisations Division at the INEC headquarters, Dorothy Bello, said that the forum was organised to intimate members of JONAPWD on the preparations towards ensuring a free, fair and credible election.
Bello, said that the INEC had taken steps to make the election all-inclusive by organising roundtable meetings to mainstream persons living with disabilities in the political party structures, activities and leadership positions.
According to her, INEC has also procured and deployed magnifying glasses to aid the albinos in making informed choices during voting.
She also stated that the visually impaired/blind among them will be given transcribed voter education materials in braille to further enhance their participation in the election.
