Access Nigeria, a Disability Rights movement led by Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) has, in a campaign tagged: “Disability Votes Matters” called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure newly created polling units are accessible to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). It also requested the restructuring of previously created polling units which are inaccessible.
The group made the call in a post-election press conference which focused on “polling unit accessibility” in the Anambra Governorship election. It aimed to ascertain the situation through evidence-based advocacy, while also making recommendations to INEC.
According to the Access Nigeria Campaign, “INEC should provide ramps and handrails outside and inside the polling units so that PWDs can cast their vote without any barriers. The group also categorized the Braille ballot guide as a sensitive material which the electoral body should ensure is timely and effectively deployed for all national and State elections.”
It tasked INEC to improve training of regular and ad hoc staff for greater efficiency in delivery and administering of Election Day materials and accommodations for voters with disabilities.
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Federal and State governments were urged to work with various agencies and the private sector to ensure that public buildings are built and renovated to accommodate PWDs by the 2023 deadline.
While lamenting low level of polling units materials in the election, Access Nigeria Campaign urged the National Assembly to provide adequate funding for INEC in the 2022 to enable it procure assistive electoral materials, equipment, and services.
It charged the police and other security agencies to develop a special protocol to protect voters and observers with disabilities during elections.
“We also call on the police and other security agencies to ensure that whenever these protocols are developed, their personnel are well trained to implement these provisions.”
“The media should make deliberate efforts to conduct voter education which compliment efforts of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in promoting the participation of PWDs in Nigeria’s electoral and political processes”.