By Vivian Kamusiime
The Democratic Party (DP) is pushing for an extension of the nationwide exercise for identification and mapping of persons with disabilities (PWDs) on the National Voters Register (NVR).
The exercise, which started on November 4, is set to end on November 13, 2024, but DP’s National Secretary for PWDs, Maxensia Takirambule, believes this timeframe is insufficient.
She argues that PWDs face numerous barriers to participation and that the Electoral Commission (EC) should view this process as ongoing.
Takirambule expressed concerns over the lack of preparedness and willingness by the EC to facilitate meaningful participation of PWDs in electoral processes. She noted that many community centres and village squares, where Village Councils were supposed to convene, show no visible activity, indicating a stillbirth of the exercise.
To address these concerns, Takirambule advises the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) to provide means for all PWDs to obtain IDs, enabling them to participate in elections and government programs requiring identification.
The Electoral Commission initiated this exercise to identify and map PWDs on the NVR. However, the DP’s concerns highlight the need for greater accessibility and inclusivity in Uganda’s electoral process.
