TheCable

Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the commission will continue to promote the inclusivity of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in electoral processes.

He said this on Wednesday at a “campaign to promote the mainstreaming of PWDs in the electoral process”, organised by the Albino Foundation in Abuja.

The INEC chairman called for deliberate efforts to ensure participation of PWDs in politics and governance, adding that there is no excuse for them to be excluded.

“I must say from the outset that PWDs are citizens and have the right to participate in all areas of human activity without stigma or discrimination,” Yakubu said.

“Their systematic exclusion on account of disability has affected a significant part of the Nigerian population from effective participation in many areas of human endeavour, especially political and leadership roles at all levels. This is unacceptable.

“The National Population Commission estimates that at least 19 million Nigerians are living with disabilities.

“From our records, many of them are registered voters. We owe it a duty to our democratic and electoral processes, as well as national growth and development, to encourage their active participation as citizens with equal rights.

“In partnership with the disability community, INEC will continue to promote inclusivity, not in a symbolic but practical way.

“Our emphasis is not just on their participation as candidates during elections in particular, but involvement in the electoral process in general.

“Already, we have taken several practical steps in this direction.”