The new electoral law under debate at the National Assembly is of interest to all segments of society. Disabled people united under the banner of the Plate Forme Inclusive Society for Persons with Disabilities are clamouring for their plight to be taken into consideration in enacting the new law.
This was the major outcome of an extra-ordinary general assembly of the association last Monday April 9 in Yaounde. The Executive Secretary, Joseph Pouagam said it is a surprise that the new electoral code does not include the views of disabled people. “We want to make our demands so that disabled people can also be given some consideration,” he said
At the end the discussions, members came up with some demands which were forwarded to the National Assembly. These include among others, the modification of legal provisions on discrimination against disabled people, ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People, promulgation of the law of April 13, 2010 on promotion and protection of disabled people, facilitating access to public contracts for disabled business people, and reinforcing access to the general electoral process for disabled people and also making employment for disabled people a priority.
The meeting brought together representatives of associations of peoples with disabilities from across the country.
