Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka
The Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, has disclosed that no fewer than 1,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) are ready to participate in the November 8 governorship election in the state.
Okeke made this known on Saturday during the JONAPWD quarterly meeting held at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Amawbia, in Awka South Local Government Area.
According to him, members of the association across the state have been sensitized and trained to not only vote correctly but also to participate actively in the entire electoral process.
“We have done a lot of sensitization and educated our members on the proper way to vote to avoid invalid votes,” Okeke said. “With the population we have in Anambra, we expect over one thousand persons with disabilities to vote in the election. They all have their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and understand how to cast their votes properly.”
He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra, led by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Queen Elizabeth Agwu, for adopting inclusive measures to ensure the full participation of PWDs.
Okeke noted that INEC had involved persons with disabilities at various stages of the election process, including voter registration, training, and voter education. He added that assistive devices had been provided to support different categories of PWDs — such as Braille ballot papers for the visually impaired, binocular lenses for persons with albinism, and communication materials for the deaf.
“In previous elections, we collaborated with INEC as elections approached. But this time, under the leadership of Queen Elizabeth Agwu, that collaboration has greatly improved,” he said.
“Before the Anambra South senatorial by-election, INEC engaged PWDs along with other stakeholders to explain their plans for inclusive participation — and it worked well. For the forthcoming election, they started early, involving us right from the voter registration phase and inviting us to various trainings and voter education programmes.”
He further revealed that during a recent workshop organized by INEC headquarters in collaboration with the state office, PWDs were introduced to and trained on how to use assistive voting devices.
“Our visually impaired members touched Braille ballot papers for the first time and were taught how to use them,” he said.
“Members with albinism are now aware of binocular lenses that will help them view ballot papers on election day, while the deaf will have access to posters explaining voting steps.”
Okeke, however, expressed concern that some members using crutches or wheelchairs might face challenges accessing polling units due to the usual restriction of vehicular movements on election day.
He appealed to relevant authorities to consider granting mobility passes or making special arrangements to enable PWDs reach their polling units easily.
In their separate remarks, JONAPWD Publicity Secretary, Chidimma Ajemba; Woman Leader, Nwanokwara Ncheta; and member, Vincent Onwubuya, cautioned members against spreading fake news, misinformation, or disinformation, noting that such actions could endanger the safety of PWDs during elections.
They also urged members to shun vote buying and instead demonstrate integrity by turning out en masse to vote for their preferred candidates.
