Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria |
Saturday, 16th November 2024
As part of our commitment to
promoting the electoral rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria,
we deployed 20 stationary citizen observers and 5 roving media observers to
select polling units with registered voters with disabilities across Ondo State
for today’s governorship election. This deployment focused on assessing the
overall experience of voters with disabilities (PWDs) and ensuring compliance
with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Section 54, Sub-sections 1
& 2).
While we commend certain efforts
by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), our observations
reveal critical gaps and challenges that emphasize the need for further
improvements in the electoral process to ensure inclusivity and accessibility
for persons with disabilities.
Key Observations
1. Vote
Buying and Electoral Malpractice: In numerous polling units, vote
buying was conducted overtly, undermining the sanctity of the electoral
process. For example, at St. David Primary School, Ijomu, Akure South,
interested voters were issued coupons before proceeding to the polling booth. After
voting for the preferred party of the vote sellers, voters raised their marked
ballot papers for party agents to confirm. Upon verification, the agents ticked
the coupons, which qualified the voters to collect monetary rewards at a
designated spot. Such practices erode electoral integrity and
disproportionately affect marginalized groups, including PWDs, who may face
additional barriers to accessing or rejecting undue influence.
2. Non-Provision
of Assistive Tools: INEC failed to deploy critical assistive tools at
several polling units, contrary to the requirements of the Electoral Act.
· Braille
Ballot Guide: This was not provided in polling units with
registered blind voters, such as PU St. Thomas Church 1 (PU Code 029,
Gbogi/Isikan, Akure South) and Oke-Emeso Registration Area, Ward 5, Unit 008.
Blind voters had to rely on assisted voting, which compromises the secrecy and
independence of their vote.
· Magnifying
Glass: In Ward 6, Oba Ile, Akure North, a voter with albinism was
initially denied priority voting and later allowed after intervention. However,
the magnifying glass required for her to vote independently was not provided.
3. Non-Deployment
of Form EC 40H: Form EC 40H, which is essential for capturing and
categorizing PWD voter information and statistics, was missing in some polling
units with registered voters with disabilities. For instance, this was observed
in Igoba/Isinigbo Registration Area, Ward 5, Units 008, 022, and 028 in Akure
North Local Government.
4. Inconsistent
Priority Voting: While many voters with disabilities were granted
priority voting, some others were not bringing about inconsistencies. TAF
Africa commends the polling officials who adhered to the policy of granting
priority voting to persons with disabilities in many polling units. This
practice is essential to reducing the barriers faced by persons with
disabilities in the voting process and should be consistently implemented.
Recommendations
To uphold the rights of persons
with disabilities and strengthen the inclusivity of future elections, we call
on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to:
1. Ensure
Full Deployment of Assistive Tools: INEC must ensure the provision
of Braille Ballot guides, magnifying glasses, written instructions (Form EC 30E
PWD), and other necessary tools in all polling units with registered voters
with disabilities.
2. Enforce
Electoral Integrity: Address the pervasive issue of vote buying
through stricter monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
3. Train
Electoral Officers: Provide comprehensive training for polling
officials on the rights and needs of PWDs to eliminate inconsistencies in
priority voting and ensure compliance with disability-inclusive policies.
4. Deploy
Form EC 40H Consistently: This critical form must be made available
at all polling units to collect accurate data on PWD voters and improve
planning for future elections.
While some progress has been
made, our observations so far highlight the urgent need for more robust
measures to ensure that elections are accessible, inclusive, and equitable for
persons with disabilities.
We urge INEC, civil society
organizations, and all stakeholders to work together to address these
challenges and build a truly inclusive electoral system.
Signed:
Amb. Jake
Epelle
CEO/Founder,
TAF Africa
For media inquiries, please
contact Lynn Agwuncha at +234 (0) 706 809 1367 or email l.agwuncha@tafafrica.co
