Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) have lamented the lack of prioritization given to availability of voting materials for voters with disabilities in the just concluded Federal Capital Territory Council Elections.
The discontent was made in a joint press statement released by The Albino Foundation (TAF), Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) on Monday.
The groups, while commending INEC for its remarkable strides in priority voting policy and implementation of voting accommodation, observed that the elections in the six area councils of the FCT were characterized by poor routes (roads) leading to polling units, unavailability of ramps and handrails for use by PWDs, inaccessibility of polling units due to barriers like corridors and steps, etc. Also lamented was the lack of Form EC 40H and EC 30E, shortage of magnifying glasses in some locations, inadequate braille ballot guide and other provisions in several polling units.
The groups urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to categorize the Braille ballot guide as a sensitive material as well as ensure timely deployment of same at all elections.
The Commission was also tasked to strengthen training of regular and ad hoc staff for effective administering of accessible Election Day materials and accommodations for voters with disabilities.
The pressure groups further charged INEC to ensure that voting cubicles are designed to enable voters with disabilities cast their ballots confidentially, meanwhile ensuring that ballot boxes are placed in areas that allow voters with disabilities to vote independently.
“INEC should continue to engage and consult with the Organizations of Person with disabilities/disability community to identify areas of improvement for more inclusive electoral processes – especially in the production of the Braille Ballot Guide.
“It is evident that Nigerians with disabilities want to participate in the electoral and political processes. However, accessibility challenges, stigmas, and stereotypes continue to undermine PWDs’ abilities to participate in electoral and political activities.
“While INEC has made great strides to improve its priority voting policy and implement voting accommodations, certain gaps that undermine the process are all too evident.
The press release reads in part:” While the Joint Organizations commend INEC for its commitments, we are disheartened by the lack of prioritization given to voting materials for voters with disabilities as evidenced by deployment of Braille ballot guides which were completely unusable to blind voters.”