Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) in collaboration with Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls (AEIG) on Thursday 1st December, 2022 organized a one-day voter’s sensitization workshop of Deaf women, data collection and mapping in the various locations with Abuja municipal area council with the theme: “promoting Deaf girls and Deaf women’s participation in the ongoing political process” this is funded and supported by US Embassy.
Helen Beyioku Alase, Executive Director, DWAI in opening speech welcome participants on the voting awareness creation program, she said that this sensitization is basically to let the society know that deaf women can vote also encourage Deaf women to go and vote, not only voting but ensure that their votes count. She said that when Deaf women participate in the electoral processes it will ensure that they get a credible leader whom they can proudly say that they are part of the persons that elected this candidate and they cannot do this without getting their PVCs, knowing their ward where they are supposed to vote and participate fully in the election process.
She further said that they have over 10 million Deaf people in Nigeria eligible to vote and the number of Deaf women who registered for this election in FCT is about 1000 and the reason for the low number is because of communication barriers between the INEC and the Deaf Community. Some do not even know where to register, duration of INEC registration and others do not believe that they will be given priority voting for instance voting immediately and not standing in the queue because if there is any form of violence or crises in the polling venue how will they will be communicated to? Or even asking questions like where to thumbprint, accreditation and so on how will they answer since there is no sign language interpreters in the election venue, these are some of the things that hinders Deaf community from voting.
She pleaded with the media to help them amplify their voices and ensure that the message gets across everybody so that the Deaf community can participate in electoral processes, vote in an equal basis with others and also be voted for. She said that this sensitization will happen in 3 area councils AMAC, KUJE and BWARI and she urged Deaf people to come out and vote for the party or candidate of their choice. Finally, she appreciated the US Embassy for their funding and also acknowledged AEIG for collaboration and support.
Josephine Emeghoghena from AEIG, while appreciating DWAI and AEIG for putting together the project, she said that it is a welcome development for the fact that the Deaf community wants to vote and they want their vote to count in this coming election but they cannot do this without their PVCs and that is why she is encouraging those that has PVCs to ensure that they vote and those that do not have but registered during the INEC voters registration to ensure that they collect their PVCs and to those that did not register to make sure they register once INEC resume registration anytime.
She gave the steps on how to vote which on getting to the polling unit they will check if the photograph is you in your PVC, and the information on the card are exactly what is in the card reader and insert your PVC on the card reader to ensure your name in the voters registrar after that they will apply ink on your finger, you will go and collect ballot paper from the Polling Unit Officer (PO) and they will stamp it if is not stamp she advices them not to vote so that the PO will teach you how to roll the ballot paper and show you where to vote for the appropriate person you want but if you thumbprint on more than one your vote will be invalid. She advised them to be careful and who you vote for is personal to you, so you do not allow anybody to decide for you, after that you can leave or wait quietly for counting. She advises them to ensure that their vote counts and that’s the essence of this sensitization.
Abubakar Mumbu Idris who taught the Deaf women on what BVAS is and the use of BVAS said BVAS is used to read information, thumbprint, scan QR code PVCs and even dictate if a PVC is not the owners, and even count the PVC that voted. INEC introduced the use of BVAS to be able to dictate credible PVCs and ensure a freer and credible election in Nigeria. He said that it is the PO that will be responsible of your vote and ensure that you vote in the appropriate place of your choice and that is what the sensitization is all about. He told the Deaf community to ensure that they vote and participate fully in 2023 election.
Mrs Abiodun Essiet, ED AEIG appreciated the Deaf women for participating and encouraged them to ensure full participation in the upcoming election and make sure the come out and for their choice of candidate and make sure that the vote of the Deaf women count.
