By JOHN ONAH, Abuja
The chairman Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Press Corps, Mr. Segun Ojumu has called on INEC to ensure the inclusion of the persons with disabilities in the electoral process especially the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State.
Mr. Ojumu made the call in Abuja during a one day forum on Inclusive Elections in Anambra State and Beyond.
He urged INEC to provide sign language interpreters at polling units and registration centres during the election in Anambra State.
In a remark, the founder, Albino Foundation, Mr Jake Ekpelle commended INEC for what they have done in carrying the PWDs in electoral process and urged them to do more.
According to Mr Ekpelle any democratic process that is not inclusive is a total rape on democracy.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi urged the media to ensure accurate and balanced reportage.
Mr Oyekanmi commended the INEC Press Corps for the support it had given to the Commission since the inception of the current administration.
The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba represented by the DIG Muyiwa Adejobi said measures are being put in place to ensure that Anambra State governorship election is free and fair.
The INEC Chairman represented by the INEC commissioner in charge of information and voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye noted that the commission have been working to ensure a hitch free exercise, Stressing that equipment and materials that got burnt would be replaced before the November 6th governorship election.
Mr Okoye announced that an online portal registration for journalists that would cover the election in Anambra would be opened by next week.
On his par, the Founder of Albinism Foundation, Jake Epelle commended the INEC Press Corps for focusing on inclusiveness noting that INEC is only organisation that has been expressly inclusive.
He urged that media to engage more on inclusive reportage to accommodate the down trodden.
According to him, any democratic process that is not inclusive is a rape on democracy and should be discarded.
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