Ondo 2024: Improve on treatment of PWDs during elections, group tasks INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been urged to improve on the treatment of persons with disabilities (PWDs) during elections.

A group, TAF Africa made the demand on Saturday in its preliminary report on the experience of PWDs during the Ondo State governorship election.

TAF Africa in the report signed by representative, Adeolu Kilanko, said as part of its commitment to promoting the electoral rights of PWDs in Nigeria, it deployed 20 stationary citizen observers and five roving media observers to select polling units with registered voters with disabilities across Ondo State.

According to Kilanko, 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 emphasise the need for further improvements in the electoral process to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities,” he stated.

He spoke about the key observations which include vote buying and electoral malpractice, lamenting that “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 marginalised groups, including PWDs, who may face additional barriers to accessing or rejecting undue influence.”

Kilanko lamented the non-provision of assistive tools, explaining that INEC failed to deploy critical assistive tools at several polling units, contrary to the requirements of the Electoral Act.

He also touched on the Braille Ballot Guide, saying 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.

As a result, Kilanko said blind voters had to rely on assisted voting, which compromises the secrecy and independence of their vote.

On magnifying glass, he lamented that 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.

There were other issues such as the non-deployment of Form EC 40H: Form EC 40H, which, according to him, is essential for capturing and categorising PWD voter information and statistics, but it was missing in some polling units with registered voters with disabilities. For instance, he said this was observed in Igoba/Isinigbo Registration Area, Ward 5, Units 008, 022, and 028 in Akure North Local Government.

“Inconsistent Priority Voting: While many voters with disabilities were granted priority voting, some others were not bringing about inconsistencies,” Kilanko said.

“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.”

On recommendations to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities and strengthen their inclusivity in future elections, the group has called on INEC to ensure full deployment of assistive Tools, adding that the commission 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.

INEC has also been urged to enforce electoral integrity by addressing the pervasive issue of vote buying through stricter monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

“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,” TAF Africa said.

“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 organisations, and all stakeholders to work together to address these challenges and build a truly inclusive electoral system.”