The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has held a one – day voter education and sensitization for visually impaired persons, aimed at achieving inclusive governorship election in Anambra State.
Correspondent, Amarachukwu Okafor reports that the event which held in Awka, the state capital, attracted top INEC officials, visually impaired persons, representatives from the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, among others.
The voter education and sensitization programme was designed to guide visually impaired persons on voting procedures, INEC policy framework on election day activities and other factors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his address, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anambra State, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, represented by the Head, Department of Voter Education and Publicity, INEC Anambra State, Mr. Samuel Nimen said the visually impaired are relevant and have a right to be part of the voting process, a reason for the plans being made to make the process easier.
Mr. Nimen said that INEC intends to provide opportunity for all, encouraging everyone to participate in the election.
The Assistant Director, INEC, Mrs. Akayar Hambadoin, represented by Head, Disability Unit, Gender and Inclusivity Department INEC, Abuja, Mrs. Benny Oguejiofor said the sensitization would help educate the visually impaired on the safe way to mark a ballot paper, understand the ballot practical demonstration, and advised them to do away with self-doubt.
On her part, the Assistant Director, Gender and Inclusivity Department, INEC, Mrs. Agnes Kareen, enlightened participants on the need to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, urging them to be health conscious and look out for one another.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, Anambra State chapter, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, thanked INEC officials for having the interest of persons with disabilities at heart, assuring that they will extend all they learnt to other members.
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