People with Disabilities (PWDs) have threatened to file a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged failure of the electoral umpire to provide materials for their inclusion in the electoral process for the forthcoming June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State.
Speaking with newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Monday, the Executive Director, Centre for Citizens Living with Disabilities, David Anyaele, said the National Disability Law has authorised INEC to provide materials for inclusion of PWDs in all elections.
Anyaele further stated that every attempt to stop members of the group from voting due to INEC’s laxity will be challenged in court, adding that such would amount to a breach of the law signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
On the issue of security, Anyaele said the PWDs are deeply concerned due to persistent cases of thuggery during election, urging INEC to partner with police and other security agencies to checkmate the menace.
“Up to now, we learnt the INEC has not made some materials ready to sensitise the PWDs, particularly the form EC40H,” he said.
“It is also the duty of INEC to allow the deaf to bring sign specialists to polling units for proper voting. To resolve this, there must be disability desk officers across all the polling units.
“The reason why we are here is to hold INEC into account. It is no longer a charity for INEC to provide enabling environment for PWDs to vote. Before, it was INEC may provide materials for PWDs to participate, but the law has changed it to INEC shall.
“We are here to observe INEC compliance and any failure, we are going to use every legal instrument to compel INEC to comply. It is not about Ekiti alone, but we are also impressing that in Osun.”
