INEC Recruits 81 Physically-challenged Persons for Kogi Election

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that 81 persons with disabilities were among ad hoc staff it had recruited for the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State.

The Director of Voter Education and Publicity, INEC office, Lokoja, Ahmed Biambo, disclosed this on Wednesday on the sideline of a one- day sensitisation forum organised by the commission for persons living with disabilities.

Mr Biambo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the 81 physically challenged persons were recruited to work as Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers.

He said the recruited ad hoc staff will be deployed to polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state.

The official, however, said the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) had ordered that they be posted to non-volatile areas , saying that they will be trained on the use of braille ballot guide among others.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the state Chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons Living with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Solomon Yahaya, confirmed the recruitment of his members as ad hoc staff by INEC.

He thanked the commission for the inclusion of physically challenged people in the electoral process, saying that it has given them a sense of belonging.

Mr Yahaya charged members of the association to come out on election day to vote for a candidate of their choice and advised those recruited as ad hoc staff to give a good account of themselves.

Earlier, while declaring the forum open, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner , James Apam, said the commission was determined to ensure that all persons living with disabilities exercise their franchise on election day.

Mr Apam, said persons with disabilities will be given access to polling unit unhindered saying that they will also be accorded priority to vote first before others.

(NAN)


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