NGO Partners with INEC to Remove Voting Barriers for People with Disabilities

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), TAF Africa, has announced its partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address voting challenges faced by People with Disabilities (PWDs) in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election on November 16, 2024.

TAF Africa, known for advocating for the rights of PWDs, stressed the need for key stakeholders, particularly INEC, to ensure that PWDs can exercise their right to vote and even stand for election without hindrance. The organisation highlighted the various difficulties that PWDs encounter during elections, from accessibility issues at polling stations to the inability to read ballot papers.

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Mr. Adeolu Kilanko, the Programme Manager for TAF Africa, made these remarks at a one-day Able2Vote and voter education event for physically challenged individuals held in Ondo State on Wednesday. The event was organised with the support of the European Union’s Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria initiative.

“As we all know, the Ondo State governorship election is set for November 16, 2024,” Kilanko said. “We are here to educate PWDs on the conduct and procedures they need to observe to participate fully in the election.”

Kilanko explained that the goal was to inform PWDs about relevant legal frameworks that guarantee their participation in the electoral process. He pointed out several barriers faced by PWDs, including polling units placed at elevated positions, making it difficult for people in wheelchairs to access them. He also mentioned challenges faced by persons with albinism, who struggle to read the print on ballot papers, and suggested that INEC provide magnifying glasses to aid them in voting.

TAF Africa had previously presented recommendations to INEC based on issues observed during the 2023 general election. Kilanko commended INEC for making progress, particularly as outlined in the 2023 electoral guide. He encouraged PWDs to come out and vote in the upcoming election, noting that TAF Africa had applied for 50 disability election observers, with 20 of these applications already approved.

Mr. Abiodun Samuel, Chairman of the Ondo State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, welcomed the voter education initiative. He noted that the information shared would help PWDs avoid being disenfranchised. Samuel also called on INEC to improve accessibility to election materials to ensure that PWDs can exercise their civic rights.

Representing INEC at the event, Mrs. Ngozi Edet, Desk Officer for Gender/Inclusivity, reassured the PWD community that the commission had made sufficient provisions to facilitate their voting in the election. She urged PWDs to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and said that arrangements were in place to ensure easy collection at designated centers. However, she advised against visiting the collection centers during peak hours to avoid delays.