NEC launches unprecedented programme of pick-up services for people with special needs

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This is a monumental achievement feat for Somaliland not seen in developing world

By M.A. Egge

The Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) Mr. Musa Hassan Yusuf has on Sunday launched a special program to support people with special needs and disabilities during the election unseen in the developing world.

This program provides assistance services to people with disabilities on voting day, they will be picked up from their homes and taken to the polling stations to cast their votes, and will be returned to their homes safely.

The launch of the program took place at the headquarters of the National Electoral Commission, with Aynaan Ahmed Ismail from the Somaliland Disability Association representing his community in the presentation.

He was picked up from home and brought to a polling centre and taken back in an epic rehearsal for the special programme.

The NEC chair expressed his happiness at the implementation of the maiden programme which is an unprecedented feat realized in the country, specifically for the people with the special needs.

He pointed out that the NEC had put a lot of effort to address the plight of the people with such need in perspective hence established the special service to be expedited on the day of election.

He said that special staffers have been engaged to cater for the programme and make sure that the people with special needs are not left out.

A Special telephone hot-line number 2339 has been established specifically for the purposes to which the people needing the services call hence are promptly picked.

The scenario was played in the rehearsal exhibited by the NEC to which Aynaan asked for the service and which was expressly executed.

This is indeed a feat rare in the developing world and surely a pipe-dream to most.

For Somaliland to achieve and realize this type of service tells a lot about a nation whose aspirations of self determination and to prosper are limitless.