CCD decries non- Passage of Bill on disabilities into law

Executive Director of Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), David Anyaele has expressed dissatisfaction with non-passage of Nigeria disability bill just as he urged the National Assembly to do so without further delay.

The bill which has been passed by both chamber of the current 8th National Assembly since July 2016 but yet to be harmonized was unable to get Presidential assents after passage by the 6th and 7th National Assembly.

Anyaele who stated this yesterday while appearing before Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC), for presentation of the group’s report on last year Edo Governorship election said the passage of the bill into law would provide for the prohibition of all forms of discrimination and harmful practices against persons with disabilities.

He 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 Disabilitie ahead of 2019 general elections.

He said, “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”.

Accordingly in his remarks, the chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Suleiman Nazif vowed that National Assembly will continue to protect the right of people with disabilities.

” We will continue to support people with disabilities, we will pay serious attention to issues concerning them”, he said .

He also assured the group ( CCD) that the committee would continue to support and collaborate with it in bringing to fruition , its laudable plans for more credible electoral process in the country

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