Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have called for stronger measures by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address disability inclusion in election management.
Yiaga Africa, a prominent election observation group, made this appeal in its report titled Process and Results Statement on the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election, released Sunday in Abuja.
The group urged INEC to provide better training for ad hoc officials on disability provisions and improve its electoral technology to ensure greater efficiency and inclusivity.
The report emphasised the importance of ballot secrecy and called for the strict enforcement of guidelines that promote accessibility for voters with disabilities. “Polling units must be accessible, equipped with tools such as magnifying glasses and braille ballot guides to cater to the needs of disabled voters,” the report stated.
Yiaga Africa further highlighted the significance of completing Form EC 40H during elections to accurately record disability-related interventions.
The report also advised state authorities to prioritise the accessibility of public facilities and urged security agencies to take decisive action against election malpractice, including voter inducement and vote buying.
Additionally, Yiaga Africa called on political parties to prioritise issue-driven campaigns and foster gender inclusion by advancing women into key leadership roles. The group insisted that integrity and inclusivity are critical for strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.