By Nuel Suji – The Executive Director of Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), David Anyaele has urged for the passage of Nigerian Disability Bill, expressing disappointment over National Assembly’s delaying in harmonizing their positions on the bill. .
The bill was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly since July 2016 but has not been reconciled by the federal lawmakers.
The bill had previously been passed but was not harmonized and therefore could not receive the President’s assent in 6th and 7th National Assembly.
Anyaele who appeared before Senate Committee on INEC, said the passage of the bill into law would prohibit all forms of discrimination and harmful practices against persons with disabilities.
The Executive Director while presenting the report of the group on last year Edo governorship election to the Senate Committee urged National Assembly to demand for disability plans and budget from INEC in the national budget for the provision of sensitive infrastructures including Braille ballots, accessible voting cubicles, written instructions and sign language interpreters to ensure Equal Voting Access for Persons with Disabilities ahead of 2019 general elections.
He urged, “the National Assembly to pass without further delay the Nigeria disability bill. This bill provides for the prohibition of all forms of discrimination and harmful practices against persons with disabilities
“The National Assembly should amend section 56 of the 2010 Electoral Act to accommodate the protection of persons with different forms of disabilities.
“National Assembly should demand disability plans and budget from INEC in the national budget for the provision of sensitive infrastructures including Braille ballots, accessible voting cubicles, written instructions and sign language interpreters to ensure Equal Voting Access for Persons with Disabilities.
“The Executive to conduct an audit of public infrastructures at all levels to identify accessibility gaps and compliance to the National Building Code for PWDs to enable access for PWDs during and after elections.
“The Federal, State and Local Governments Authorities should work with school administrators, INEC and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to identify accessible positions for location of polling units.”
In his remarks, chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Nazif vowed that National Assembly will continue to protect the right of people with disabilities.
According to him, we will continue to support people with disabilities, we will pay serious attention on their issue.
Nazif said the committee would try everything possible to support the group, and brings the Committe meeting on inec featuring group to a close.
