By Joy Odor
To forge a strategic bond for quality service delivery guided by international best practices on electoral inclusion, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has trained the Disability Desk Officers of the Commission on the BRIDGE Modular on Access and Participation of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in electoral process organized in partnership with European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES).
The National Commissioner and Chairman, Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC), Professor Kunle Ajayi in his welcome address noted that the non-negotiable minimum of a credible and democratic electioneering process is its inclusivity; ability of all stakeholders to access and participate in the electoral space on the basis of equality.
Professor Ajayi informed that the BRIDGE Modular training is part of the Commission’s Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) designed to sharpen and enrich the working knowledge of our new Desk Officers, and refresh the memories of other officers with longer experience at the Disability Desk of their responsibilities as frontline implementers of the Commission’s PWDs’ policies.
He said Section 54 (2) of the Electoral Act 2022 and other legal instruments empower the Commission to take reasonable steps to ensure PWDs, special needs and vulnerable persons are given support at the polling place by the provision of assistive devices.
According to him, the Commission also has as one of its core values, the creation of a level playing field for all stakeholders to participate in, especially the marginalised groups, including the PWDs.
The OPC National Commissioner reiterated the unwavering commitment of the Commission to PWDs sensitive actions, even as we have a Framework on Access and Participation of PWDs in the Electoral Process and have almost completed work on Disability Inclusive Guide, a tool for reference in mainstreaming disability issues in the electoral process, which will firm up the Commission’s resolve on electoral inclusivity to serve PWDs community better.
“As a new National Commissioner and Chairman, Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC), Professor Kunle Ajayi this training provides a veritable opportunity for me to interact with you to have a first-hand knowledge of your field experiences and operational challenges, so as to enable us forge a strategic bond for quality service delivery guided by international best practices on electoral inclusion.
“The non-negotiable minimum of a credible and democratic electioneering process is its inclusivity; ability of all stakeholders to access and participate in the electoral space on the basis of equality.
Section 54 (2) of the Electoral Act 2022 and other legal instruments empower the Commission to take reasonable steps to ensure PWDs, special needs and vulnerable persons are given support at the polling place by the provision of assistive devices.
The Commission also has as one of its core values, the creation of a level playing field for all stakeholders to participate in, especially the marginalised groups, including the PWDs.
This taken, the BRIDGE Modular training is part of the Commission’s Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) designed to sharpen and enrich the working knowledge of our new Desk Officers, and refresh the memories of other officers with longer experience at the Disability Desk of their responsibilities as frontline implementers of the Commission’s PWDs’ policies.
You are the leading contact points to provide strong support to the mainstreaming of disabilities’ issues into the electoral process at your various states, and to offer assistance to the capacity-building of election personnel for enhanced knowledge and response to PWDs’ matters during elections.
This underscores the importance of the training, even more so, as the General Elections and stand-alone elections are upcoming.
Expectedly, at the end of the training, the Desk Officers should better appreciate the various innovations and the changing dynamics on PWD electoral issues all built into the training modules of this 5-day programme, and also develop the capacity to cascade the training for a broader knowledge on issues on disability inclusion at your respective stations.
As Desk Officers the Commission counts on your expertise as foot soldiers on PWDs responsive policies for effective coordination and implementation of its disability focal programmes as you will put the knowledge you acquire here to a good use.
I wish to reiterate the unwavering commitment of the Commission to PWDs sensitive actions, even as we have a Framework on Access and Participation of PWDs in the Electoral Process and have almost completed work on Disability Inclusive Guide, a tool for reference in mainstreaming disability issues in the electoral process, which will further firm up the Commission’s resolve on electoral inclusivity to serve PWDs community better.
The Commission also places high premium on its collaboration with development partners to sustain the multi-stakeholders’ synergy for credible and inclusive electoral process for a sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
May I at this juncture therefore express the Honourable Chairman’s and the entire Commission’s goodwill and appreciation to the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) for supporting the Commission in the organisation of this BRIDGE Modular training and other contributions of the European Centre towards the advancement of democracy and its values in Nigeria.
The support from ECES and other stakeholders has helped to reform and grow our systems of elections, their processes, and outcomes. It is indeed in the interest of participatory democracy in Nigeria to sustain the strategic partnership.
Once again, it gives me an immense pleasure to welcome you all and wish you a purposeful training as I declare it open.
Prof. Kunle Ajayi
National Commissioner, INEC
25th April, 2022.
