The Indpendent National Electoral Commission, INEC has assured people living with leprosy that plans are underway to ensure that they participate fully in the 2023 general elections without being stigmatized.
Administrative Secretary of the electoral institute, Tunde Ojetokun gave the assurance at an awareness workshop for staff of the commission in Abuja with the theme, understanding leprosy.
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The participants at the event urged INEC, leprosy mission and the national human rights to extend the awareness workshop to staff across the 36 states for proper implementation of the policies to protect the rights of lepers during the general elections.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control report shows that over 3,500 people get infected with the disease every year in Nigeria and about 25 per cent of them develop physical disabilities.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
