CCD wants passage of disabilities bill

By Taiye Odewale

Abuja

Executive Director of Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), David Anyaele, has expressed dissatisfaction with the non-passage of Nigeria disability bill and urged the National Assembly to do so without further delay.
The bill, which has been passed by both chambers of the 8th Assembly since July 2016, was yet to be harmonised to get Presidential assent.
Anyaele, who stated this yesterday while appearing before the 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 the 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 the 2019 general elections.
“The National Assembly should 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.
Accordingly, the chairman on Committee on INEC, 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 that the committee would continue to support and collaborate in bringing to fruition laudable plans for more credible electoral process in the country.

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