Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) has commended Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its conduct during last Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.
The group, however, advised INEC to improve on grey areas it identified such as adequate deployment and effective utilization of assistive materials for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), training of polling officials etc.
IFA Executive Director, Grace Jerry, in a statement sent to Inclusive News Network, INN said the INEC had successfully conducted an off-cycle election, adding that the election had fourteen (14) political parties fielding their candidates contesting for the apex political office of the state amongst who were 12 males and 2 females in the election.
Blind voter making use of Braille Ballot Guide to cast her vote
She stated that INEC before the elections, the total number of registered voters in Edo was 2,201,534 with total PVCs collected put at 1,735,910 while 483,868 were not collected as publicized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
She observed that the Braille Ballot Guide (BBG) was deployed to very few polling units (PU), adding that Yiaga Africa PVT had reported deployment of BBG to 38% of the sampled PU.
“This does not show a good representation of inclusiveness for the PWD clusters that are visually impaired,” she said.
“In most of the polling units visited by IFA, there was considerably good participation of PWD who came out in their numbers male and female to cast their votes for the candidate of their choice.”
IFA Executive Director, Grace Jerry
“The Election day written instruction for the Deaf (EC30E) was practically missing in all PU visited by IFA. This form is required to assist deaf voters understand the voting process due to the inability of having sign language interpreters at all PUs. This therefore excluded most deaf voters the ability to vote.”
Jerry also observed that logistics arrangement was quiet adequate and commendable but lamented inaccessible of most PU for PWDs.
“IFA observed that INEC logistics arrangement was quite adequate and commendable. As a considerable number of INEC officials and voting materials got to most polling units at about 8:30am.”
“IFA observed that most of the PU were still not accessible for PWDs as polling officials still had their set up on the verandas even at locations where they had an opportunity to set up on the flat ground. However, some of the PUs were accessible.
“IFA observed that there was a high level of priority voting for PWDs during the election and this is highly commendable for INEC.”
“In most PU visited, only a few had the magnifying glasses which is required to assist voters who have albinism or are visually impaired to vote without assistance”
“IFA observed that form EC40H was available at all PUs visited by our observers. The form is used to capture data of PWDs to assist INEC’s deployment for PWDs in future elections and enhance its database.”
Jerry stated further that against all fears and speculations of violence, every PUs had the presence of security officials.
She also observed some activities of vote buying and canvassing at some PUs.
“Against all fears and speculations of violence, every PUs had the presence of security officials who also conducted themselves very professionally thereby providing confidence for PWDs in casting their votes.
“IFA observers witnessed some activities of vote buying and canvassing at some PUs which are against the voting provisions.
“At most PUs visited, voters negated the COVID19 protocols as they exercised their civic rights. Although INEC officials had their sanitizers and consistently announced the social distance to voters on the queue but it was seemingly neglected as voters never obeyed.
“Negating of COVID19 protocols
Insufficient braille ballot guide
Absence of form EC30E PWD
Insufficient magnifying glasses.
“While we commend INEC for the successful conduct of the Edo governorship election and ensuring inclusivity, we call on INEC to improve some grey areas such as adequate deployment and effective utilization of assistive materials for PWDs, training of polling officials while the commission make efforts to address the challenges identified,” she added.