The Inclusive Friends Association, IFA has presented disaggregated data of registered voters with disabilities to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC ahead of the October 10 governorship election.
Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry made the presentation at a stakeholders roundtable in Akure, Ondo State capital organised by IFA and the Network for the Advancement of Persons with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID), both of whom are organizations that promote the rights of Persons with Disabilities especially in the electoral process.
She said that the data would support INEC to identify the specific polling units that need all materials on the day of election.
Jerry, in her opening remarks, appreciated INEC and the commitments they have made towards ensuring the citizens with disabilities vote in elections.
Speaking on the recent Edo state governorship election, she aplauded INEC Nigeria for the deployment of some voting materials in accessible formats to serve voters with disabilities during the elections, and the massive observance of priority voting for all voters with disabilities who voted during the elections.
She also lauded the Commission for collecting data of PWDs that voted in the election through the use of the Form EC40H by ad-hoc staff.
She however stated that from their observations, and those of organizations like Yiaga Africa, the braille ballot guides were deployed to only 38% of polling units.
She expressed concerns that the election day written instructions form EC 30E (PWD) were not seen at polling units by PWD voters by the various observer groups.
She added that magnifying glasses were not also seen in many of the polling units.
Jerry therefore recommendes that INEC reviews its deployment plan for all materials needed to ensure that voters with disabilities experience more inclusivity compared to Edo.
She also added that INEC should ensure that Sign Language Interpreters are hired to provide sign language services during the INEC stakeholders forum ahead of the elections.
In the first session of the roundtable, Dr. Ogunmola Adekunle, appreciated IFA for its partnership with INEC Nigeria through the years to ensure that elections are made more accessible for PWDs.
While giving the data to the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo state, Adekunle confirmed that braille ballot guides and other materials have been produced for the Ondo governorship elections and they would improve on their deployment to ensure that the materials are properly circulated.
After receiving the data, Resident Electoral Commissioner appreciated IFA and the NAPVID for working with various PWD leaders to collect the data.
He assured that they would use the data to support their deployment of the polling unit materials.
In the second session of the stakeholders’ roundtable, the Director of the NOA explained in details all the initiative they have carried out within the past weeks to sensitize the communities of PWDs in the state ahead of the election.
The session also provided an interactive phase where participants asked questions and got clarification. Also, the sessions also assist PWD leaders to build relationships for post election engagement with the various state actors.
Additionally, the PPR of the Ondo state police force also assured the PWD leaders present that security would be provided and they have been given instructions to protect PWDs during the elections. He also assured that PWDs that would be observing the elections would not be harassed by any police officer. he also advised PWDs to conduct themselves in an oderly manner during the elections and observe all safety rules provided by INEC especially voting with the reality of COVID 19.
The Data for Inclusion program was supported by Voice Nigeria.
The stakeholders’ roundtable was attended by INEC National Commissioners, Dr. Ogunmola Ladipo Adekunle, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Muazu (Retired), the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Rufus Oloruntoyin Akeju , State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs. A.O. Famuyiwa and the representative of the Ondo state commissioner of Police, Public Relations Officer, PPR Tee-Leo Ikoro.